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Spurs target Fazio 'to leave Sevilla'

Sevilla coach Unai Emery has all but admitted that centre-back Fazio is leaving the club, with Tottenham reportedly targeting a 10 million-euro deal.

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Argentine defender Fazio, 27, has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Sevilla through recent transfer windows, but reports now suggest he is set for White Hart Lane to work under his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino.

Asked if the recently appointed club captain was likely to feature in Sevilla's Primera Liga opener at home to Valencia on Saturday, Rojiblancos coach Emery told a news conference it was unlikely as the player is about to leave.

"[Fazio] belongs to our squad, but he has very little, or almost no, chance of being with us tomorrow," he said. "We cannot deny the reality -- his evolution has been such that he played the last game, the Supercopa, where he showed a very high level. And this last shop window has led to teams being interested.

"It is clear that we would all prefer him to stay, but thinking about tomorrow's game, we will have to look for someone else. Players leaving at the last minute has been a constant at Sevilla. I only want to wish him the best."

After an erratic first seven years at Sevilla, Fazio signed a new contract just last summer and then had his best campaign for the club as Emery guided them to fifth place in La Liga and the Europa League trophy.

The Basque coach said Fazio's 10 million-euro release clause had looked out of reach at the time, but now made him a bargain for clubs who could afford it.

"When I arrived he was a much-criticised player and almost going to leave for a much lower sum to this one," Emery said. "He has improved a lot, he renewed with much better conditions than he was offered previously, but his performance level has been so high that his clause has now become small. Fazio is worth more than that, but these are the rules of the game."