Fluminense join Riquelme hunt

Brazilian outfit Fluminense have entered in the race to sign Juan Roman Riquelme.

Branco, the football co-ordinator of the Rio de Janeiro-based club, confirmed he wants the Argentina midfielder to play the 2008 Copa Libertadores, for which they qualified by winning the Copa do Brasil.

Riquelme, who is not playing at Villarreal because of differences with club president Fernando Roig and coach Manuel Pellegrini, spent a five-month loan spell at Boca Juniors earlier this year - which cost the Argentinian club around £1million ($A2.47million).

Branco told Radio Globo: "Riquelme is exceptional. He put all Boca on his shoulders to help the team in this year's Libertadores and if he comes, he will help us a lot.

"It's difficult because his transfer value is high, but with the effort of the board and sponsors, the dream can come true.

"He is the kind of player who is worth working hard to sign."

Despite his inactivity at club level, Riquelme scored two superb free-kicks to help Argentina defeat Chile 2-0 in the opening game of the World Cup qualifiers this month and remains the national team lynchpin.