[StevieH]

iverpool have not approached Sevilla midfielder Seydou Keita, agent Pascal Boisseau exclusively told setantasports.com.

Rafa Benitez is looking for a central midfielder, with Aston Villa star Gareth Barry in pole position, and the African talent has been rumoured to be a target for the Anfield outfit.

Mali international Keita has been fantastic for the Andalucian side since he moved from Lens last summer.

When asked if Liverpool had contacted him about Keita, Boisseau told setantasports.com: “It’s absolutely rubbish.

“The player is happy at Sevilla, focused on helping them to try and qualify for the Champions League.

“We will discuss with Sevilla when the season is over.”

Liverpool chief scout Eduardo Macia also slammed reports from the Spanish press saying the former Lens captain is on his way to Merseyside.

“Keita is not our objective because we are working now on a list of three players for this position, but he is not part of it,” Macia told Spanish reporters.

“I mean that he is a tremendous player, but he is not part of our plans.”