Juan Roman Riquelme
The Daddy of All transfer rumours, and the one which generated the most laughs.
It was a common joke on Celtic fans sites that we would make a last day swoop and secure the services of the brilliant Argentine. The best player linked with us never to actually play for us, there was a spell when every window was christened (before it opened) the Roman Riquelme window.
How close were we? Not very if you believe official sources. If, on the other hand, you like your transfer rumours courtesy of the Glasgow Taxi Drivers Network then we were very close indeed, on more than one occasion.
Indeed, it could have come to pass, as crazy as that sounds.
We were definitely interested (along with half of Europe) when he announced that he was leaving Barcelona in 2005.
But Villarreal was already his chosen destination.
In 2007, we were linked with him again; this is what sparked the annual Riquelme rumour, or so it seems. He chose Boca Juniors instead, but every time he hinted at wanting a return to Europe it would be flagged by either someone in the Scottish media (desperate for stories) or Celtic fans as proof that this time it could happen.
In the end, this is one of those stories that remained just that, whispered about on the forums (or shouted about in pubs; I remember one night in the Gallowgate being assured, not told but assured, that it was definitely on this time, that he would pull on the famous Hoops), much to the regret of every Celtic fan who ever saw him play … and indeed, we had a couple of opportunities to do so whilst he was at El Submarino Amarillo.
He retired from the game in January 2015, bringing the rumours to an end once and for all.
Which is almost a shame really.
The Riquelme rumour is definitely far sexier than what we’re left with; stories about Ryan Gauld and Robert Snodgrass on a permanent loop.
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