BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentine international midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme looks set to extend his stay with Argentine first division side Boca Juniors, a club executive told the media on Sunday.

"Riquelme will stay at Boca Juniors. In the next ten days or so we will announce it officially," revealed Juan Crespi, a member of the club's executive board.

Riquelme, who joined the club on loan in February from Spanish side Villarreal and was part of the Copa Libertadores winning team, is yet to comment on the announcement.

It is reported he could extend his loan spell until at least June 2008.

Mauricio Macri, club president and Mayor of Buenos Aires, would have liked to have captured Riquelme's signature already but Villarreal have preferred to wait until August 25, the final day of the transfer market, before making a final decision in case a better offer for the 29-year-old is put on the table.

Macri was far less optimistic on Friday when he said that keeping the player in the Argentina capital was "impossible".