Bolton reel in Spanish star

By European Football
April 14 2005

Malaga defender Juanito is a Bolton player in just about everything but name. Out of contract in the summer and the subject of much speculation, he has stated that he will move to Bolton unless Malaga increase their pay offer.

At the moment he is heading for Bolton, and only by substantially increasing their offer can Malaga hope to hold onto the player.

Juanito stated:

"The club (Malaga) are taking advantage of the fact I have expressed my desire in recent months to stay at Malaga," he stated.

"At the moment I do not feel valued by Malaga football club given the new offer they have made me.

"The new offer from my current team is still very low.

"Even taking into account the effort they have made, it is still 60 million pesetas (£250,000) less per year [than the offer from Bolton].

"I would be prepared to stay in Malaga even if it meant losing money, but I can fulfil both sporting and economic dreams in The Premiership and must think about that.

"The difference between one offer and the other at the minute is abysmal.

"I must think about my future and what they are offering in The Premiership is very good, not just for me but for my agent Ramon Arasa."