Arsenal Bid €7m for 6ft.5in Argentine defender

Arsenal has failed with a €7m bid for Sevilla centre-back Federico Fazio.

Fazio (22) is a giant at 6ft.5in and Arsenal wanted the big Argentine defender to replace Kolo Toure & Phil Senderos who is due to sign for Everton before the weekend.

Fazio is contracted until 2012 and his agent Eduardo Gamarnik insisted: “The situation’s clear. Federico doesn’t want to be sold or loaned.”

Gamarnik has confirmed that Sevilla have rejected a bid of €7m from an unnamed club (Arsenal) for the defender.

Fazio had an injury-plagued second season in Spain during 2008/09, but coach Manolo Jimenez is an admirer of the Argentine’s ability and wants to retain him, as the club returns to the Champions League.

Gamarnik, told newspaper La Razon, “Fazio will play in Sevilla next season. [Chairman] Del Nido has had offers, one of seven million, but it was not accepted. He will play more games this season.”