Leto blow for Liverpool.

Filed in archive Premier League 2008-09 on August 4, 2008

There was more bad news for Liverpool's twenty one year old Argentine midfielder Sebastian Leto today when he was denied a work permit to play in England next season.

Leto joined Liverpool from Lanus for a fee of around £2million in 2007. He was granted an Italian passport last summer but it was later revoked.

The loss of that passport meant that Leto needed to apply for a work permit but Liverpool's application was refused by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Manager Rafa Benitez was surprised by the decision. "I am disappointed and it was a surprise because this is a player who has played in the Champions League and been in the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games," he told Liverpool's website.

Liverpool will now look to loan Leto out for the season and Benitez claims that there are a number of clubs already interested in taking him on. The player, who played only four times for Liverpool last season has attracted plenty of interest.

Leto is on a long contract at Liverpool az will be keen for him to go somewhere where he can increase his international chances and therefore increase the chances of a work permit being issued next time they apply.