Elano offered to Espanyol?

I know it was a story that surfaced yesterday, but there were some interesting comments from the President of Espanyol today:

"We have received the offer for the loan but have still not given an answer".

This suggests that rather than an approach from Espanyol for Elano, it is ourselves who maybe hawking him around and Espanyol may be in the mix as a result of relations following the signing of Pablo Zabaleta.

Elano's salary is believed to be the sticking point according to the report, something I imagine wouldn't be a problem if the owners were willing to be on the hook for part of his wages.

The surprising thing for me though would be for us to release him on loan, as if Hughes is adamant he doesn't have a future at the club then surely there would be clubs willing to sign him on a permanent basis?