Julio Baptista turns down Arsenal move again

Sevilla's Brazilian forward Julio Baptista has restated his refusal to accept a move to English club Arsenal because he wants to become a Spanish citizen.

Sevilla said on Tuesday they were close to accepting a bid of 24 million euros ($28.96 million) from Arsenal but Baptista has said once again that he does not want to go to London.

"It isn't the best thing for me to do at this time," the 23-year-old forward told Radio Marca.

"It's very important for me to become Spanish."

Baptista explained that his number one priority was to be no longer classified as a non-European Union player.

Under the rules of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) each Primera Liga side is allowed up to three non-European Union players in their squad.

Under existing law, Baptista can apply for dual citizenship in August when he has completed two years as a resident in Spain.

However, he will not be granted the status until well into next year.

Spanish media have reported that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are interested in signing Baptista once he earns European Union status and the player admitted he was flattered by the reports linking him to both teams.

"It makes me very happy that teams of that calibre are taking an interest in me," he said. "But I've got until next year to think about it."

Baptista, who has scored 38 league goals in the last two seasons, is under contract to Sevilla until 2008.