Brazilian striker Julio Baptista has told Sevilla he does not want to extend his contract with the Primera Liga team, paving the way open for the forward to move to Arsenal.

Arsenal have already had a bid for the 23-year-old striker rejected by the Spanish club.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said: “The player doesn’t want to renew his contract and we can’t cover our eyes to the fact.

“We’ve offered him a quantity of money which triples what he is earning.”

Baptista’s current contract with Sevilla expires in 2008.

“We consider it a derisory offer,” said Del Nido, when asked about Arsenal’s initial offer.

“We will not consider negotiations based on that amount of money. Furthermore, we told them that we did not want to sell the player.”