Corinthians confirms interest in signing Riquelme

Corinthians president Andres Sanchez confirmed on Thursday that the Brazilian club is interested in securing the services of Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme next season. But he admitted that negotiations don't directly depend on the club.

"Corinthians won't negotiate directly for Riquelme, but we have our arms open to have him as a reinforcement," Sanchez told the Web site of Brazilian daily Folha. "Because it is not Corinthians who are conducting this [the transfer], I don't have information in respect to this."

Corinthians, which signed Ronaldo at the beginning of the year and last month purchased Matias De Federico, is planning to build a team full of stars to have a realistic chance of winning the Copa Libertadores next year, when it commemorates the club's centenary year.

The Timao already has booked a place in the Libertadores after winning the Copa do Brasil earlier in the year.

"Riquelme never spoke officially to anyone from Corinthians," Sanchez said. "[Agency] Group Sonda are intending to finance his signing. In the case that they achieve this, they will try to place Riquelme in Corinthians."

Earlier in the week, Boca Juniors announced that they will try to extend Riquelme's stay at the club.