Newcastle, Boro, Spurs check out Villarreal ace

By European Football
April 5 2005

Villarreal have not been able to find the cash that would allow Juan Roman Riquelme to stay with the club and this news has notified a number of Premiership clubs to his likely availability.

Newcastle and Middlesbrough have made enquiries about the Argentina international, who is actually owned by Barcelona. While spurs had him scouted in the recent game against Athletic Bilbao.

"A number of Premiership teams are interested in Juan Roman," stated a Villarreal spokesman.

"He's happy here and we'd like to make him a permanent signing, but Barca are inviting offers from all around Europe and we can't match the cash some English clubs can put up."