Champs Barcelona chase Forlan

Villarreal's Uruguayan Diego Forlan celebrates his second goal against Levante during their Spanish league match at Villareal's Madrigal stadium, May 29, 2005. Spanish champions Barcelona have targetted Forlan after the 26-year-old Uruguay striker finished the season as top scorer with 25 league goals to put Villarreal into the Champions League next season.

Spanish champions Barcelona have targetted Diego Forlan after the 26-year-old Uruguay striker finished the season as topscorer with 25 league goals to put Villarreal into the Champions League next season.

Forlan scored just 10 goals in 62 Premiership games for Manchester United after signing from Argentina's Independiente in 2001 but found his niche at Villarreal who have spent only six seasons in La Liga.

His goals, including a hat-trick at Barca earlier this month, secured the club third place.

Mundo Deportivo says Barca would be prepared to offer Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme in part exchange for Forlan, who is under contract until 2009.

Riquelme has spent two seasons with Villarreal on extended loan from Barca, who retain his registration through to 2007.

A further option for Barca, according to Tuesday's report, is to offer Riquelme to Atletico Madrid as bait for the latter club's Spanish international striker Fernando Torres.