Real Madrid trump Arsenal as Sevilla confirm Baptista sale

Sevilla have confirmed Julio Baptista has been sold to Real Madrid.
 
The Brazilian was the subject of an £18 million offer from Arsenal, while Real Madrid made a £15 million bid rising to £17 million depending on success.

"The only logical decision was to sell him," Sevilla club president Jose Maria del Nido said.

Arsenal were close to agreeing terms with the Brazilian, but he indicated he would rather stay in La Liga in order to qualify for Spanish citizenship.

Baptista will have been resident in Spain for two years in August and can apply for citizenship then, although it is unlikely to be granted until 2006.

"It's an opportunity I can't let get away," the 23-year-old international was quoted as saying on Sevilla's website.

"I'm leaving a club that is big in every sense. One in which I became a true soccer player and where I made my name in football."

Meanwhile, Seville sports chief Monchi has told Real Madrid to forget defender Sergio Ramos.

"Sergio Ramos is not on the market. We do not want to transfer him, we will not consider negotiating for him and not even are we going to listen to offers," declared Monchi. "He is 19 years old and we are not a bank, but a football club."