Villarreal CF - Finished 2nd

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Boca Juniors claim that Juan Román Riquelme will join them on loan until the end of the season, but Villarreal have denied the deal has been completed.

The 28-year-old midfielder has been outcast at El Madrigal and wanted a permanent move back to his former club, but settled for a temporary move until June.

Boca Juniors' president Mauricio Macri stated that the deal has been completed after several days of negotiations with the Yellow Submarine.

"I am pleased because we have sealed the return of Riquelme to the club," he stated.

Villarreal president, Fernando Roig, disagrees though and has claimed that no agreement has been reached and the move may yet not materialise.

"The possible loan depends on it being signed and there being a definitive agreement,'' he said. "It is not as easy as it seems.

"In principle, we did not agree with the loan because Román wanted to go for a year and we would allow him until June.

"Things changed last night and we are negotiating to clarify them. If something does not happen today then his situation will remain the same."

Riquelme is hoping to appear in the Clausura and the Copa Libertadores during his loan spell and earn around $2 million over the next four months.

Villarreal were keen to off-load their unsettled playmaker after he fell out with both the coach, Manolo Pellegrini, and president Roig.

Riquelme has not played for the team since the Christmas break after a reported string of incidents that caused friction between himself and the club's management.

An apparent unwillingness to train was the final straw after several other problematic events were over-looked.

Last season's Champions League semi-finalists were also upset with his behaviour after they built and organised the team around the former FC Barcelona star.

After winning six titles with Boca Juniors between 1996 and 2002, Riquelme won a lucrative move to Spain when he joined Barça.

His time at the Camp Nou was troubled, however, and he played only one season for the Blaugrana before being loaned to Villarreal in 2003.

After a successful spell, the move was made permanent and last season he won many plaudits as he helped steer the Yellow Submarine to the Champions League semi final against Arsenal.

Goal.com - Confusion Over Riquelme's Boca Return

[skeeta]

The Clausura starts this weekend.

The question on everyone's mind is whether the genius* who is Juan Sebastian Veron can do to Boca and River again. I would not bet against him.

* not applicable in the British Isles or the City of Milan.

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Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that the departure of Riquelme does not imply they will have to rebuild.

"This is far from the beginning of a new era," argued Pellegrini. "We have already been playing without him for a long time, so for the team, it is not something new."

Insisting that the season would continue just as it had, he went on to reveal that the team would make a late bid for a Uefa Cup berth, and needed full points against Deportivo in order to do that.

"They are three very important points, even though there are still 51 points to play for, because our intention is to et as many as possible and take an important position in the table," he said.

"We do not know how they [Deportivo] will approach the game - whether they will be very defensive. We know that they have managed some good draws on the road of late, but hopefully we will be able to get through their defensive system.

"They might have had a negative season due to various off-the-field problems, but they are still in the middle of the table. Knowing their coach, I know they will be fighting very hard to get out of their rut."

Pellegrini also confirmed that Matías Fernandez was fit to start after missing out last week's clash. Fernandez has been playing just behind Diego Forlan of late, flanked by Marcos and Cani.

Goal.com - Riquelme Departure No End Of An Era - Villarreal

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Juan Román Riquelme has been unveiled by a beaming Mauricio Macri back at the Boca Juniors that the playmaker swore he’d never return to after an acrimonious departure in 2002. Four and a half later the man who made the ‘Topo Gigio’ celebration his own at La Bombonera is back in a number 10 shirt.

The returned prodigal son hopes to make his second ‘debut’ with Boca Juniors under the orders of new Coach Miguel Angel Russo as soon as possible. That means a probable debut against Rosario Central at the Bombonera in the second round of the Torneo Clausura.

"My training starts on Tuesday and will continue all week so that if the coaching staff deem it prudent and I see myself as physically ready, then I’ll be playing on Sunday", explained Riquelme.

The player made his happiness happy, although he’d have preferred a longer loan deal with the Xeneize club where he’s still worshipped. “I’d have preferred to come back on loan for a year rather than five months, but even if it was for three days I’d have come running. It was the right decision to return.”

Riquelme hasn’t been sold on by Villarreal, Boca not willing to pass on some of the cash they recently received for Fernando Gago, and will theoretically have to return to the Yellow Submarine on the 1st of July 2007.

If Coach Pellegrini is still there then it could be a short return. Looking to take full advantage of Riquelme’s return, President Mauricio Macri has turned to Boca’s money man Orlando Salvestrini to ensure the best return on the number 10’s estimated $40,000 per Bombonera match pay.

“Due to economic issues Argentinean clubs are forced to ‘sell’ their stars and Boca is no exception, so we have to search for finance”, explained the exec, studying the possibilities of launching a Riquelme clothing range, cell phone accesories and even the creation of a Riquelme pizza to be sold at the Bombonera.

Goal.com - Riquelme Already Training With Boca

[Pat Murphy]

Deportivo La Coruna full-back Joan Capdevila is to join Villarreal having agreed a three-year deal with the Yellow Submarines.

Capdevila's contract with Depor expires at the end of the season and, as such, he has been permitted to talk to interested parties about a free transfer move in the summer since January.

Depor had hoped to persuade the 29-year-old to extend his stay at the club, but could not satisfy his demands.

The left-back received offers from England, Italy and France, but ultimately opted to continue his career in Spain.

The deal with Villarreal is reported to be worth twice what he was offered by Deportivo and he is expected to officially sign it on Monday.

Capdevila, a full Spanish international, will see out the season with Depor before joining up with his new Villarreal team-mates for pre-
season.

from Sky Sports

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Another good siging for Villarreal for next season as they continue to rebuild. Capdevilla is a very good LB who started for Spain against England when they played. Capdevilla will replace Arruabarena who has announced that he will leave the club in the summer.


--Javi Venta------Gonzalo-------Ayala-----Capdevilla

Great defence for next season.

[SheDevil]

First Ayala and now Capdevila.Villareal do great deals at the moment.

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Good, they have strengthened their defence very good.

[Super Pibe #7]

Gonzalo will learn a lot from ayala.

[Tom Andre]

Gonzalo have big potensial.

[Oliver_Kahn]

He scored a very nice this weekend for Villarreal:

TalkSoccer Media Player

[Oliver_Kahn]

I remenber Fernandez playing for Colo Colo, he was awsome.

Villarreal paid 11m €, he is worth it

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I believe he is Portugise...

[Super Pibe #7]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

I believe he is Portugise...

Nope Chilean.

He was awesome back at colo colo and won best south american player award. He hasn’t set the league alight yet, but with more time he will be amazing.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

I believe he is Portugise...

It's spelled Portuguese...

Originally Posted by Super Pibe #7

He was awesome back at colo colo and won best south american player award. He hasn’t set the league alight yet, but with more time he will be amazing.

Didn't know that.

Well all South American players need time to adapt to Europe.

[Pat Murphy]

They also got Somoza, Cani, Marcos and some other players who haven't shown their best for the club yet. Next season if everyone gels then they can challenge for a Europe place again.