Arsenal compete with Juventus and Lazio for La Liga defender - talkSPORT Transfer Spotlight

Sevilla's monetary worries mean the Andalucian club is likely to lose some of its biggest stars this summer, and one man who has attracted a large amount of attention is defender Federico Fazio. Reports in Sevilla-based sports paper Estadio Deportivo have today linked the Argentine with Arsenal. talkSPORT's Transfer Spotlight has the details...

Name: Federico Julian Fazio
Date of birth: 17 March 1987
Birthplace: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Position: Centre-back
Club: Sevilla
Honours: Copa del Rey (2009/10), 2007 Spanish Supercup, 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup, 2008 Olympic Gold Medal
International appearances: 2 (Argentina)

What's the latest?
The press in Sevilla have long insisted that Federico Fazio is the player most likely to leave the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan this summer, and comments from his agent this week support that idea, with the player's representative saying he could play for a top team in Europe. Estadio Deportivo think Arsenal is one of the most likely destinations, though Juventus and Lazio will provide competition.

Did you know?

1) Fazio's career started in his home nation of Argentina with Ferro Carril Oeste, where he would progress through the youth ranks and go on to make his senior debut in August 2005. After playing 48 games for the side, Sevilla signed him in the summer of 2007 for €800,000, incorporating the defender into their Sevilla Atletico reserve team.

2) The young centre-back was part of a Sevilla Atletico side that won promotion to the Spanish second division in 2007, doing so for the first time in 46 years. His strong performances that season, scoring two goals and setting up seven, led to his first team debut in a Copa del Rey tie against Deportivo that May, with Sevilla winning 3-0 against the Galicians.

3) Fazio was promoted to the Sevilla first team in the summer of 2007. He won his first trophy with them shortly after. The defender started the second leg of their Spanish Supercup triumph over Real Madrid, with the Andalucians winning 6-3 on aggregate. He went on to make 25 league appearances for the club that season, and three in the Champions League.

4) The following season Fazio played more of a bit part role with the side, filling in at defensive midfield on several occasions, while in the 2009/10 campaign injury hampered his development. He did, however, manage to pick up a medal for Sevilla's 2010 Copa del Rey win, the last trophy lifted by the club, though he missed the final against Atletico Madrid. Less injuries meant he managed to tie down a regular starting place in 2011/12, making 28 La Liga appearances. This season, he produced a fine display in the Sevilla derby against Real Betis, scoring two goals in his team's 5-1 triumph.

5) At international level the defender has also achieved success, starting with a 2007 U20 World Cup win in Canada, where he was a regular. A year later, he won an Olympic Gold Medal with the Argentina team that included Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero and Izequiel Lavezzi. He made two appearances with the Senior Argentina side in 2011, but has yet to receive a recall since.

He says
“I would like to player in the Premier League, Germany or Italy.” Fazio speaking about his favoured destinations a few months ago.

They say
“His contract runs out in 2014, and we haven't spoken about extending the deal with Sevilla. His future is probably far away from there. We want to try a new experience. He could play for any top team in Europe.” Fazio's agent Ariel Kiperszmid.

Video evidence
Check out this compilation highlighting Fazio's ability to bring the ball out from the back...

Liverpool fans, would you welcome Fazio at Anfield? Let us know below...