Piojo targets Che return

Claudio Lopez has revealed he would jump at the chance to return to Valencia.

The 30-year-old hit-man had a hugely successful spell with the Primera outfit between 1996 and 2000 before leaving for Lazio in a £20 million-plus deal.

He never recaptured the kind of devastating form he displayed for Valencia during his time in Italy and ultimately completed a free transfer move back to Mexican side Club America last summer.

However, Lopez - nicknamed 'El Piojo' (The Louse) - has shrugged off suggestions his career is in decline and admits he would relish the opportunity of a second spell at the Mestalla.

"I would like to return to Valencia," he told Radio COPE.

"I hope that the situation might change because Valencia is a city I love. The directors might be different there now, but my desire to return is still great."

Lopez insists he only accepted the move to Mexico for financial security and not to wind down his career, claiming a move back to Europe is now his priority.

"I am at the America Mexico and I only left Lazio because of the bad economic state of the club," he continued.

"My objective is to return to Europe to play for two years and Spain would be my preferred choice."