Sevilla eye Escude bid

Sevilla are set to launch a bid to sign Ajax's disgruntled defender Julien Escude.

The Liga outfit have eyed Escude as a potential replacement for Pablo Alfaro who joined Racing Santander earlier this month.

Auxerre are also keeping tabs on the versatile 26-year-old who is in search of first team football in order to boost his World Cup hopes with France.

Escude has made just two Eredivisie appearances this season but hopes to challenge the likes of St Etienne's Zoumana Camara for a place in Raymond Domenech's squad.

One stumbling block to any deal, however, could be Ajax's insistence on a permanent transfer while Sevilla would prefer a loan arrangement.

Should Sevilla be unsuccessful in a bid for Escude they may turn their attentions to San Lorenzo's Argentina Under-21 international Walter Garcia.

Garcia has already admitted that he is looking to leave the club and San Lorenzo are now set to listen to offers.