Atletico eye Mista raid

The hit-man has been a bit-part player for Rafa Benitez's men since joining the club from Tenerife two seasons ago.

Atletico targeted Mista after a move for primary target, Real Madrid's Tote, floundered on the player's personal demands.

Tote is demanding around ‚é¼1 million per season from Atletico which the club are not prepared to meet.

The stumbling block for any move for Mista, however, is that the player is under contract at the Mestalla until 2005 and has a release fee of some ‚é¼60 million.

Meanwhile, Atletico captain Carlos Aguilera has been offered a two-year contract by Primera rivals Sevilla.

The 32-year-old's contract at Atletico expires on June 30, and while the club are planning to offer him a one-year extension, the former Spanish international is chasing a two-year deal.

Thus Sevilla are planning to take advantage of the current stand-off and snare the experienced stopper.