Federico fazio
Fazio spent the last part of the 2015-2016 on loan at Sevilla Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Sporting director of La Liga side confirmed they want to sign Argentinian centre-back.
  • Mauricio Pochettino reportedly ready to part with compatriot but not on the cheap.

Former Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores is likely to bolster his new Espanyol side with the signing of Federico Fazio. Ángel Gómez, the sporting director of the La Liga side, has confirmed his interest in the Tottenham out-of-favour player after recent reports in Spain revealed that last week officials from both clubs had a productive meeting in London to discuss the Argentinian's potential move to La Liga.

The 29-year-old star was recruited by his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino in a €10 million (£8.5m, $11.1m) deal during the summer of 2014 after he garnered a big reputation during his time at Sevilla. However, the Argentinian centre-back failed to make the impact expected at White Hart Lane and was sent back on loan to the Andalucian side during the last January transfer window.

Fazio also struggled to replicate his best days at the Europe League winners during the second part of the 2015-2016 season and Spurs are now reportedly ready to part ways with him on permanent basis.

Last week Sport reported that Pochettino's former side, Espanyol, were ready to offer Fazio an escape route from North London after representatives from the Catalan side travelled to London last week to discuss the transfer. They added that the negotiations were productive and that the deal was on track both between the clubs and with the player, who had given the green light to sign a four-year-deal at the Catalans side.

Now the Espanyol sporting director has all but confirmed the interest in the Tottenham defender but suggests that the deal will not be as easy due to the Spurs demands. Having already signed the likes of former Watford playmaker Jose Manuel Jurado and Atletico Madrid's Leo Baptistao, the club chief admits that Fazio is on their shopping list along with Valencia winger Pablo Piatti and Victor Camarasa from Levante.

"They (Fazio, Piatti and Camarasa) are three players who know well La Liga and would be very good additions for us," Gomez admitted as quoted by Sport during the presentation of Baptistao. "Fazio is a player with a lot of experience, but it is true that his value in the market is also important. It is clear that if there was a list (of targets) he would be in it. "