Espanyol are convinced they can land River Plate midfielder Diego Buonanotte for a reasonable price in January.

Buonanotte has been a long-term target for Espanyol sports chief Paco Herrera, but his £11 million asking price was regarded as too steep.

However, while in Argentina on a scouting mission, Herrera has learned that Buonanotte is ready to make the move to Europe and River are prepared to sell.

River do not want to drag out things and are open to selling the young midfielder for a reasonable fee in January.