Barcelona and Real monitoring Navas’ contract negotiations

Barcelona and Real Madrid are rumoured to be at the front of the queue monitoring whether speedy winger Jesus Navas signs a new contract at Sevilla.

The 24-year-old has been a regular in the Spanish squad in the past year after overcoming anxiety problems, but is yet to have his long-term future resolved at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Sevilla have recently been keen to keep striker Luis Fabiano at the club and succeeded as the Brazilian extended his current deal for a further two years.

Now they may turn their attentions to doing the same with Navas to ensure that he does not leave on a free transfer when his present contract expires in 2012.

It was recently reported that Navas’ representatives indicated in a statement: “We have not spoken to anyone and we have not had a meeting with the club’s board.”

Navas is one of Sevilla’s most influential players and they will need him on top form if they are to defy odds of 25/1 to win La Liga this season.

Meanwhile, if contract talks break down, then Barcelona and Real are preparing to fight it out to gain his signature and they have the added luxury of being able to offer higher wages than Sevilla if Navas decides his future lies elsewhere.

Real in particular appear short of options on the right-side of their midfield and they are 11/8 to overcome this obstacle and win La Liga.

Sevilla got their league season off to a flying start with a 4-1 victory away at Levante and their next test comes at home to Deportivo.

They are 4/9 to make it back-to-back victories, with Deportivo 5/1 to gain the three points.

Barcelona are the 4/7 favourites to win La Liga, see the whole market.