 A product of local Real Betis' youth system, he first appeared professionally with lowly CD Isla Cristina and Levante UD (then in the third division, achieving promotion in his first year).After making his La Liga debut with Real Valladolid in the 2000–01 season, during a 1–1 away draw against UD Las Palmas, and being an undisputed starter in the following three years scoring a combined total of 15 league goals, Sales transferred to Sevilla FC on a five-year contract, upon Valladolid's 2004 relegation.He appeared sporadically for his new club during his first two campaigns, being restricted to Copa del Rey games in the 2006–07 campaign and not registered at all – alongside teammate Jesuli – in the following season.