Liverpool Tell Sevilla They'll Have to Pay £4m to Buy Iago Aspas

Liverpool have told La Liga side Sevilla they are not willing to send Iago Aspas on loan - but they will consider selling the Spaniard for a cut-price £4m, reports in Spain claim.

The Reds paid Celta Vigo £7m to sign Aspas last summer but he has struggled to make the impact expected in his debut season at Anfield, having started just five games.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has Daniel Sturridge and new signing Rickie Lambert to call on ahead of Aspas, and he recently confirmed the Premier League giants are planning to make a big investment in another forward to replace Luis Suarez.

"I am confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts; domestically and in the greatest club competition in the world, the Champions League," Rodgers said.

A number of Spanish clubs have approached Aspas, who scored 12 league goals the season before he moved to Anfield, regarding a summer return to La Liga.

Both Sevilla and Celta are reportedly interesting in securing his services on loan but, according to Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo, Liverpool have told Aspas that if he wants to move away he will have to find a permanent move.

Even though they recently agreed to send youngster Luis Alberto on loan to Malaga, the Reds believes there is no sense in loaning out the 26-year-old-striker – but are ready to listen offers for a cut-price £4m.

Asked during a recent interview with IBTimes UK whether he would settle for another season on the bench, Aspas said: "Not really.

"I will talk to the club at the end of the season and, if the situation remains like this, I think that for both the club and for me the best outcome is an exit. Because they also paid €9 million for me.

"Everything depends on what the club wants at the end of the season. Now we are just focused on the Premier League and we cannot be thinking about individual aspects."