Real Betis director of sport Manuel Momparlet has denied that his club is looking to sign Town striker Pablo Couñago. Yesterday the 24-year-old was reported to be interesting the La Liga side.

However, Momparlet says that his club are not planning to sign a striker at present: "The squad is now complete, and we are not thinking about incorporations in the short term.

"We are offered a lot of players every day, principally forwards, but the manager has assured us that part of current squad is sufficiently covered."

Manager Victor Fernandez backed up Momparlet's assertion, adding that recent signing Martin Palermobe should be given a chance to shine: "I have not asked for more players and we need to give every confidence possible to Martin Palermo. That is why I signed him."

Couñago joined Town on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 2001 and is the club's highest-paid player at present. In the summer Valencia and Atletico Madrid were both linked with the former Spanish U21 international.

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