Football: Right offer would bring Juninho to England

JUNINHO, ONCE of Middlesbrough, is free to return to the Premiership after Atletico Madrid indicated that they would be willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian midfielder.

The ailing Spanish giants paid about pounds 12.5m to Boro for him in June 1997 but he has had little luck in Spain, breaking his leg and, when fit, was consigned to the bench by the Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi. He scored only eight goals last season but the return of Raddy Antic in March to replace Sacchi brought him back into favour, but Antic was sacked again after Atletico's cup final defeat at the weekend.

Miguel Angel Gil Marin, Atletico's director general, said: "It would be logical for him to leave Atletico Madrid. If an offer that is economically interesting for us and for him is made, he will quit the club."

Juninho had talks with Aston Villa in January while Boro have also considered taking him back to Teesside.