Benitez to swoop for £6million Saviola

Javier Saviola’s supposed unrest at the Bernebeau has attracted strong interest from Rafael Benitez, who is reportedly lining up a £6million swoop for the Argentinian.

Nicknamed El Conejito, which translates to “The Little Rabbit”, Saviola made his debut for River Plate at the age of 16, and went on to be a prolific goalscorer for the club.

He helped River Plate win the 1999 Apertura and 2000 Clausura championships, and earned the 1999 South American Footballer of the Year award. Still only 18, he gained a reputation as a phenomenal prospect.

Barcelona snapped him up, and a succesion of impressive seasons ganied him a permanent place on the starting line-up, but a dip in form saw him being released to Real Madrid, where he was featured in just six starts for the Galacticos.