Arsenal’s hopes of signing Brazil striker Julio Baptista look destined to end in disappointment after the 23-year-old striker admitted he wants to stay with Sevilla.

“I want to stay with Sevilla for one more season,” the 23-year-old Brazilian striker told the Daily Mail.

“Then I will be able to gain dual nationality and become a European citizen. If I went to Arsenal now, I would not be able to.”

Arsenal have had an £8m bid for Baptista turned down.

Baptista’s current deal with Sevilla runs out in 2008 and he has rejected a new contract.