Valencia president Agustin Morera has revealed his interest in signing Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop.Morera has highlighted Palop, who began his career with Los Che, as a target after Valencia reportedly lost faith in number one stopper Timo Hildebrand and agreed a deal to allow long-serving custodian Santiago Canizares to leave the Mestalla.

"He's a player who has Valencia in his heart," Morera said of Palop on Valencian radio station Radio Nou on Tuesday.

"If he wants to come here and Sevilla will let him leave then that would be phenomenal for us.

"I know Andres has Valencia in his heart and any player, and even more so Palop, would love to return home."

However, convincing Sevilla to part with their goalkeeper, whose performances this season have led to his inclusion in the Spain squad for Euro 2008, will be difficult.

Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido told Spanish newspaper AS: "Sevilla are not considering the departure of Andres Palop.

"I have no reason to let such a great goalkeeper get away, and even less reason to give him away.

"I've not met with his agents nor with the player to discuss his departure to any team."

Morera's task is complicated further by the fact that Palop himself has ruled out a move away from Andalucia.

On May 29, before leaving with the Spain squad for Switzerland, the 34-year-old goalkeeper said: "I'm very happy at Sevilla, I've got the recognition there that I've always wanted.

"Sevilla is an important team and with a great future.

"Nobody has said that (Valencia) have asked about me, and neither do I want them to because right now I only want to concentrate on the national team."

Palop acted as back-up to Canizares for Valencia during his stint with Los Che's first team between 1999 and 2005.

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