Espanyol captain Ivan de la Pena has urged his club to solve the confusion surrouding Raul Tamudo's future at the club.

He fears the saga could have a negative effect on the team as it drags on and on.

There has been contrasting reports in which the club accused Tamudo of refusing to sign a new contract while the player denied receiving any.

Any possibility of him remaining with the Catalan outfit now appears to have gone as the club are no longer willing to renew his contract when it runs out next summer, and De la Pena wants a solution to be found.

"For the good of Tamudo, the club and everyone, the best thing that can happen is that an agreement is reach as quickly as possible," he was quoted as saying by Sport.

"I hope that that in a few months we will all look back on this as just an anecdote and that he can leave with his head held high through the front door.

"This is not benefiting anyone. He is a symbol of the club and the people will remember all the good things that he has done for Espanyol.

"I think that after more time has passed people will consider him to be one of the best players to have ever played for the club."