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Juninho's Boro move seems off Premiership club still holds out hope to sign BrazilianPosted: Thursday July 11, 2002 11:36 AMUpdated: Friday July 12, 2002 12:31 AM MIDDLESBROUGH, England (Reuters) -- Middlesbrough still hope to sign Brazil's World Cup-winning midfielder Juninho despite suggestions from his father that the deal is off. "We have made what we believe is a very attractive offer and have stressed to his father in discussions that we want to bring Juninho back to Teesside. Therefore, we very much hope that he can agree terms with us," Middlesbrough spokesman Dave Allan told the club's Web site. He was responding to comments in Thursday's Middlesbrough Evening Gazette from Juninho's father and agent Oswaldo Giroldo. Giroldo told the paper: "We have had friendly discussions, but we will not be making a deal. "The offer they have made is not what we wanted and I will be returning to Brazil. This is all part of business, I understand Middlesbrough's situation. "They have certain limits and Juninho didn't fit into it." The English premier league club have held talks with Juninho's father over the last two days about signing the midfielder for a third time. Having already agreed a fee with Juninho's club, Atletico Madrid, Boro officials met Giroldo to discuss personal terms and say they made Juninho a "very attractive" offer. "We know how our fans are following this story with intense interest and can assure them that as soon as there is any further news then we will let them know," said Allan. The 29-year-old playmaker first joined Middlesbrough in 1995 and immediately became a fans' favourite before leaving for Atletico two years later. He returned on loan to the Teesside club in September 1999, before joining Brazilian sides Vasco da Gama and Flamengo on loan. Juninho featured in five of Brazil's matches at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan last month, including a late substitute appearance in the 2-0 victory over Germany in the final.
Middlesbrough, who did not disclose the agreed fee with Atletico, announced the club record 8.15 million pounds ($12.5 million) purchase of Empoli striker Massimo Maccarone last week and are also in negotiations to sign two more players.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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