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Sevilla to hold Jorge Sampaoli talks with Argentine Football Association

Sevilla president Jose Castro will hold talks with Argentine Football Association (AFA) vice-president Daniel Angelici this week to discuss coach Jorge Sampaoli's future.

Sampaoli is wanted by the AFA to replace sacked Argentina boss Edgardo Bauza but his contract with Sevilla does not end until June 2018.

The 57-year-old can leave the La Liga side this summer, however, provided his €1.5 million release clause is met.

Castro told Sevilla's official website: "The Boca [Juniors] president and AFA vice-president [Angelici], a personal friend of mine, has told me that he will come this week to talk to us about Sampaoli. We will listen.

"But it's crystal clear to us that there is a release clause that has to be paid and there is no possibility to negotiate it. When we signed Sampaoli [last summer], we also paid a release clause to the Chilean Football Federation so if the AFA want him, they will also have to pay it."

Sampaoli said last week he could not "turn down" again the opportunity to coach his native Argentina.

The former Chile coach was offered the job in August but remained in charge of Sevilla.

"He [Sampaoli] said that he could not turn down his national team for a second time and we have to respect him just as we have to respect the contract that both parties signed," Castro said. "Sampaoli is still our coach because he is under contract with us."

Under Sampaoli, Sevilla have finished fourth in La Liga and sealed a place in Champions League qualifying for the 2017-18 campaign.

Argentina have been without a coach since they dismissed Bauza on April 10 after eight months in charge with their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in jeopardy.

The AFA recently named a squad of players competing abroad for next month's international friendlies but are keen to tie Sampaoli down as soon as possible.

Argentina take on Brazil in Melbourne on June 9 and they play at Singapore a week later.

Argentina, fifth in their South American qualifying group for the World Cup, resume their campaign at Uruguay on Aug. 31. Only the top four sides will qualify directly for the tournament that is to be staged in Russia.

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