[lionel]

Cuper: Riquelme Could Still Join Real Betis

Hector Cuper, the manager of Real Betis, affirmed his interest in out of favour Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, who is unlikely to be taken into consideration by Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini this season.


The highly rated Argentine manager told Radio Publica de Andalucia that he is more than aware of Riquelme's extraordinary quality, and hopefully his side will be able to come to a financial agreement with Villarreal to bring him to Betis this season.

Betis have shown huge interest in the player, and the fact that they signed two players, Somoza and Jose Mari, from Villarreal this season, means they are in the club's good books, and there's a good possibility that both parties could come to an agreement.

But what could put a halt to the negotiations are the high wages the playmaker is expecting to receive, and whether Betis have the sufficient financial resources to pay the player atleast 3 million euros each season.

A little more than a month ago Atletico Madrid tried to lure Riquelme to their club, but the Argentine international rejected the deal after not settling to receive a substancial pay cut.

Cuper declared to reporters that a player of his calibre would do a lot of good to Betis both on the field and through marketing, and Manuel Ruiz de Lopera and Fernando Roig could come to an agreement in the next few days.

from Goal.com

many teams are trying to sign riquelme so he will join in january... betis could be a nice option, I prefer boca though