Villarreal open door for Riquelme (28 Jul 2007 11:45 GMT)
Villarreal have given Juan Román Riquelme a glimmer of hope after giving him a squad number for the new season.
The Argentinian midfielder fell out with the board and coach Manolo Pellegrini before Christmas and was shipped out on loan to Boca Juniors for the second half of last term.
It is reported that the Yellow Submarine have been looking to off-load the highly rated playmaker, but they have not ruled out his return altogether.
Riquelme wore the number eight shirt during his heyday at El Madrigal, when he helped the club reach the Champions League semi final, but he has been shunted down the pecking order.
If he does opt to come back then he will don the number 16 next term and have to earn the respect of the coach once again as Santi Cazorla has been given his old shirt.
His off-field behaviour finally saw Pellegrini decide that he was no longer part of his plans and Riquelme returned to Argentina.
It proved to not be a bad move for the former FC Barcelona midfielder as he helped Boca to win the Copa Libertadores, before he starred in the Copa América for his country.
Atlético de Madrid were linked with a move for the 29-year-old, but the move broke down over Villarreal's asking price.
source : Goal.com