| With Juan Roman Riquelme apparently snubbing a move to Inter, they’ve turned their attention to another Argentine World Cup star: Maxi Rodriquez.
The Nerazzurri need midfield reinforcements following the departure of Cristiano Zanetti to Juventus and Juan Sebastian Veron’s switch to Estudiantes. The prime target had been Riquelme (pictured), who shone for Argentina in the tournament before their quarter-final exit on penalties to Germany.
“I am very happy at Villarreal,” he told a South American radio station. “If the club decides to sell me, then I will consider my options, but it all depends on them. I’m happy Inter are interested in me, but at the moment I am in a city that shows me great affection and has allowed me to earn the respect of European football.”
The San Siro giants aren’t the only ones tracking Riquelme, but he appears to be off limits. “The club is growing in stature and I know that Manchester United offered a lot of money, but Villarreal replied that I am not for sale.”
With this in mind, Inter are turning their attention to his Argentina teammate Maxi Rodriguez. The Atletico Madrid starlet impressed during the World Cup with three goals in five games, including a wonder strike to decide the second round clash with Mexico in extra time.
He already knows how to play alongside Esteban Cambiasso and it’s reported that Atletico would part with the 25-year-old talent for £10m plus Serie A flop Santiago Solari.
Maxi Rodriguez can play both as a midfielder and a support striker, so he would also be the ideal replacement for Alvaro Recoba, whose time at Inter finally seems to be up. The Argentine has been in Europe since 2002, playing for Real Zaragoza, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid.
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发表于 2006-7-2 05:29:22
发表于 2006-7-3 00:04:13
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