Report: Lokomotiv make Nilmar bid
Villarreal's Nilmar is the subject of a €8 million offer from Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, according to reports in the Spanish media.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
The Brazilian striker has been made available following the Yellow Submarine's suprise last-day relegation from La Liga. Former club Internacional also put in a bid for the player last month but the Spanish side rejected the offer as it fell well short of their asking price.
Lokomotiv, who signed Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham in the January transfer window, are in the market for another striker and are interested in the 27-year-old as he can also play down the wing.
The former Lyon striker is close to earning a Euro passport following five years of residency in Europe and this could also pique the interest of Spanish clubs from the first division who can only field three non-European players in their squads.
Villarreal are also bracing themselves for further bids for the likes of injured striker Giuseppe Rossi, defender Cristian Zapata and former Spain international Cani. The club is keen to hold onto their star players but financial constraints could force their hand as they prepare for life in the Segunda Division next season.
Meanwhile, former Villarreal striker Nihat Kahveci has returned to the club and taken the position of assistant manager with the youth team. The Turkish national had an ill-fated two-year spell in his homeland with Besiktas and declared his intention to retire from football earlier in January.
He remains optimistic of the club's future and called on the fans to support new manager Julio Velasquez as the El Madrigal-based side seek to make a quick return to La Liga.
"Villarreal CF has opened the doors and I have always felt at home, I played three seasons here and in recent times I have followed the team as an amateur," he told the club website last week.
"I have much affection and, therefore, I am very glad to be in this club. I want to start my new career coaching from below, like I did as a player.
"The president Fernando Roig has made history at this club and [we] certainly have the ability to return to the elite as soon as possible.
"We must also rely on the new coach, Julio Velasquez, if the club has chosen him is because they have the conviction that the team will return to First Division."