Liverpool target Martin Montoya: Champions League football makes Sevilla move more attractive

Liverpool have received a blow in their bid to sign Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya after his agent, Juan de Dios Carrasco, suggested the player is keen on moving to a Champions League side such as Sevilla.

Earlier in June, Barcelona's international sporting director Ariedo Braida confirmed the possibility of Montoya leaving the Camp Nou "is concrete" after the Champions League winners committed the future of defender Dani Alves to the club with a new deal, while signing Aleix Vidal from Sevilla as back up for the Brazilian.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo later reported Liverpool, Sevilla, Inter Milan and Juventus were monitoring the situation, with Reds manager Brendan Rodgers desperately looking to bolster the right-back position following the departure of Glen Johnson.

Speaking with IBTimes UK earlier in June, Montoya's agent refused to confirm Liverpool had approached him regarding a summer move to Anfield but revealed some clubs across Europe are "very interested" in securing his services.

"I can say that there are some clubs in England very interested in Martin Montoya. But also in Italy and Germany. I cannot confirm the names of the English clubs interested yet. We have to think about everything and see what is the best for the future of the player," Carrasco said.

But the agent has now suggested Montoya would be especially open to a move to a club that will feature in the Champions League next term.

When asked by Sevilla-based newspaper Estadio Deportivo about a potential move to the Andalucian side, Carrasco responded: "We know that [Sevilla sporting director] Monchi likes him much.

"If they are interested, we can talk about that. From our part, it is not an impossible deal. Any team with Sevilla's level, which plays in the Champions League, is attractive for a footballer."

Meanwhile, with the player having a release clause of €20m (£14.2m, $22.37m) at the Camp Nou, the Sevilla-based publication claims the Andalucian side could take advantage of Barcelona's interest in getting midfielder Denis Suarez, on loan at Sevilla, back to the Camp Nou to outbid other suitors for his services.