Jardel Could Return Home

Last updated : 21 March 2004 By Mark Heys
Going Back Home?
The Brazilian side Corinthians have shown an interest in taking Bolton Wanderers striker Mario Jardel back to his homeland after the player failed to settle in England following his transfer from Sporting Lisbon last August.

A director for the South American club claims that there is a strong possibility that the former Golden Boot winner will be on his way out of Europe by the summertime and says that the player who is currently proving unsuccesful during a spell out on loan in Italian football with Serie A strugglers Ancona will have no hesitation in moving back to the country where he first shot to prominence in 1995 whilst playing for Gremio, in turn setting up a dream move to Portuguese side FC Porto where he averaged two goals per game and became one of the best strikers in the world.

After over four seasons of goalscoring genius for the Porto club, the player spent a season in Turkey with Galatasary before moving back to Portugal to assist Lisbon in 2001 where he was the top goalscorer for two seasons.

However an unhappy season littered with personal problems in 2003 meant that Jardel moved onto England from a successful spell in Portugal with Sporting in a blaze of publicity but despite the player's record the move hasnt seemed to have worked out and Corinthians director Rivelinho says that steps are in place to try and bring the player back to Brazil.

"There is a good possibility that Jardel will accept the transfer. We are in contact with him and he is a very important player." he said