Boro revive Juninho bid

Juninho may yet be on course for a return to Teesside

Middlesbrough have revived their bid for Brazil World Cup winner Juninho after he turned down an initial offer to return to Teessside.

The 29-year-old's father and agent, Osvaldo Giroldo, indicated that the Atletico Madrid star would not be returning to the Riverside Stadium after the two parties failed to agree personal terms.

But Middlesbrough spokesman Dave Allan has revealed that a fresh offer is now on the table.

Fans eager for Juninho return

"We can confirm that we have made a revised offer to Juninho and negotiations are onging," he said.

"We are hopeful that both parties can eventually agree a deal to bring Juninho back to Middlesbrough."

Middlesbrough also hit back at claims the move for Juninho was a publicity stunt designed to boost season ticket sales.

"Our interest in Juninho is genuine and we have made him a very good offer," Allan added in a statement released on the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk.

"Suggestions that our bid is anything but a real attempt to bring Juninho back to the club are well wide of the mark.

"Steve McClaren made it clear he wanted to sign Juninho and the club have backed his judgement and gone to great efforts to try and bring him back.

"Mr Giroldo has made a number of statements in the press about our negotiations. We believe his reason for doing so is because of Juninho's desire to return to Middlesbrough.

Osvaldo Giroldo had the first round of talks but said: "We have had friendly discussions but we will not be making a deal.

"I came here for talks but there has been no deal.

"The offer they have made is not what we wanted and I will be returning to Brazil."

Maccarone signs in

Boro had agreed a fee with Juninho's club Atletico Madrid - believed to be about £6m - and the only stumbling block was personal terms.

The attacking midfielder is idolised by Boro fans and the prospect of teaming him up with Italian international striker Massimo Maccarone had caught the imagination of supporters.

Juninho made a major impact at the north-east club after arriving in a £4.75m move from Sao Paolo in November 1995.

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He moved to Atletico in a £12m deal two years later after Middlesbrough were relegated, but returned on loan in September 1999.

He was not at his best after suffering a leg injury, but recaptured his form in time to force his way into Brazil's World Cup squad that secured a fifth crown in Japan and Korea.