72 hours to sign Riera

"This is a sensitive time, and we need to make sure we reach a solution one way or another," said Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera. "Everything is going well and a deal can be reached.

"The differences we have are ones we can solve and in the next two or three days there has to be a solution because there is no more time.

"There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn't, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least," he added, referring to the offer from Everton which the 26-year-old winger has turned down in favour of a move to Anfield.