Liverpool have accepted a bid of around £3m from Panathinaikos for Argentinian midfielder Sebastien Leto, according to reports in the Greek media tonight.
Leto spent last season on loan at Olympiakos after problems securing a work permit to play in Britain, a decision which angered Rafa Benitez last summer.
The boss said “I cannot understand how an Argentinian player who has been in the squad for the Olympic games and has different coaches and managers talking about how good he is, who has been playing in the Champions League and playing for a club like Liverpool (cannot get a work permit).”
Leto was signed from Lanus for £1.85m in summer 2007, he made a couple of pre-season appearances and played in the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse but problems with his passport saw him only play in the reserves for the whole of his first season in England. He since gained an Italian passport but was rejected a work permit.
Meanwhile, Olympiakos, who Leto made 22 appearances for last season, are interested in signing another former Liverpool left winger, Mark Gonzalez from Real Betis.
Leto won’t be the last departure this summer, with Rafa Benitez trimming his squad to generate funds for first team signings. Andriy Voronin is available, Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena are expected to leave for fees of around £6m each and Jermaine Pennant is a free agent after his contract expired. Also heading for the exit is Charles Itandje.
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