Wenger looks to dispense with Reyes

Arsene Wenger has held talks with representatives of Atletico Madrid in a effort to offload unsettled forward Jose Antonio Reyes. Wenger travelled to the Spanish capital this week to inform Atletico's city rivals Real he will not be taking up his option to buy Julio Baptista, who moved to Arsenal as part of the loan deal that took Reyes to the Bernabeu last summer.

However, Reyes has made it clear he has no intention of returning to England, leading Wenger to search for a buyer while in Spain.

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Arsenal's £10m asking price for Reyes - who is also attracting interest from former club Sevilla - will not be met by cash-strapped Atletico, but given the player's desire to return to his homeland a compromise figure is likely to be reached.

Ironically Baptista could also be on his way to Atletico, with neither Arsenal or Real keen to keep the Brazilian.

Confirming Wenger's decision to release him, Baptista said: "Arsenal have told me they are not able to buy me and so all I can do is return to Real Madrid.

"I have enjoyed my season with Arsenal and in England. I adapted well. I didn't play much at first but finished much better. The first year is very difficult."