MADRID (AFP) - Spanish side Villarreal on Thursday became the latest club to indicate an interest in signing French international striker Nicolas Anelka from English Premiership outfit Bolton Wanderers according to sports daily Marca.

According to the paper the 2006 Champions League semi-finalists would swoop for the 29-year-old former Arsenal and Real Madrid star should they fail in their bid to sign another former Real and Gunners player Brazilian international Julio Baptista.

Bolton, whose manager Sammy Lee said last week were ready to accept offers from English or European clubs if they received a realistic offer, are prepared to negotiate with Villarreal should the Baptista chase fail.

Were Anelka to join he would line-up alongside two other former Arsenal players, central defender Pascal Cygan, former French international Robert Pires and French international midfielder Rio Mavuba.