Riquelme hunt is on
By James Root Last updated: 24th August 2007
Riquelme: listening to offers
- He signed for Barcelona in a £10million deal in 2002, but lasted only one season at the Camp Nou.
- Riquelme was named Copa Libertadores' Most Valuable Player last season.
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Tottenham Hotspur are not the only English club interested in Juan Roman Riquelme, according to Sky Sports' Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague.
The Argentina international has been linked with a move to White Hart Lane but Balague warns that whoever captures his signing will have to cater for his needs.
"I believe he is in contact [with Spurs]," Balague told Sky Sports News, "and I also believe that Spurs are not the only club in England that is after Riquelme.
"He is a very special customer - you have to be sure he is happy. If that means he has to be surrounded by people who speak his language then so be it."
Having been at Villarreal for four seasons, the 29-year-old spent five months on loan to Boca Juniors at the end of last season. But Riquelme's future now remains elsewhere.
Balague also sees Riquelme's need to be the tactical focal point as a deciding factor between his next move being a success or not.
"He doesn't adapt that well with clubs that do not play for him," said Balague.
"While Villarreal played for him he was happy, but when they changed their system he wasn't, so he moved to Boca [Juniors].
"Boca don't want him anymore, so it is a huge gamble if anybody wants to take him to England."
