Real Betis are planning a double swoop on Depor for Diego Tristan and Lionel Scaloni.
Real Betis are planning a double swoop on Deportivo La Coruna with Diego Tristan and Lionel Scaloni their intended targets.Betis are flush with cash having agreed to sell Joaquin to Valencia for a fee of around ‚é¼24 million (£16 million).
Armed with substantial funds, boss Javier Irureta is keen to bolster his squad, especially his striking stable.
With the future of Ricardo Oliveira still far from clear, the Basque coach has only Brazilians Robert and Alecsandro and the less than prolific Dani at his disposal and is now looking to bring in a hit-man with a proven track record in the Spanish game.
Perhaps unsurprisingly he has set his sights on his former team Depor and in particular Tristan who finished as Spain's top scorer in 2002 under his guidance.
Tristan has been courted by a number of clubs this summer including Bolton and Celtic, but has made it clear he does not want to leave Spanish football.
Betis had expressed an interest earlier in the summer but were unwilling to match Depor's ‚é¼3 million (£2 million) asking price.
However, with the proceeds of the Joaquin sale now boosting their coffers, they may well look to push through a deal for the unsettled 30-year-old who has been informed by Depor boss Joaquin Caparros that he will not be a first-choice this season.
Another Depor target for Irureta is Scaloni who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham.
It is understood the Hammers still have an interest in the Argentine international, but would only consider moving for him if he became available on a free transfer.
Depor have made it clear that will not happen, but Betis now seem willing to pay a fee for the South American whose contract at the Riazor runs until 2007.
