Valencia’s Los Ches have failed to secure the transfer of Benfica and Portugal winger Simão Sabrosa after the deal to bring the player to the Mestalla collapsed on Sunday.

The two clubs had agreed a £10 million (€14.6 million) fee for the Portugal international who was expected to be officially unveiled at the Mestalla stadium on Monday.

Simão, who played for FC Barcelona from 1999-2001 before returning to his homeland to join Benfica, was thought to be on the verge of signing for the ‘Chés’ on a four-year contract, but his wage demands were refused by the Primera Liga side.

Simao is reported to have boarded a plane back to Lisbon on Sunday night after Valencia refused to match his £1.4 million-a-year (€2.86 million) contract demands, with Valencia reluctant to pay the former Liverpool target any more than £1 million-a-year.

“There are always possibilities of returning to speak and to negotiate,” said Simão after the collapse of the deal.

Valencia president Juan Soler still refuses to give up on the transfer of Simão and is planning more negotiations today, with the player reported to be a priority signing before the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been an admirer of the 26-year-old Portugal forward for some time, was put off by the high price-tag for the talented winger, but it may now be that Benitez may be willing to further shore-up his midfield after having recently signed former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant from Birmingham City last week.

For more Liverpool FC News, Premiership News provides extensive coverage for the 2006-2007 Premier League season.

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