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Barcelona beats Man United for Ronaldinho
Oporto, July 20: Barcelona were expecting to complete the signing of Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder Ronaldinho on a five-year contract after agreeing a fee with his French club, Paris St Germain.
Oporto, July 20: Barcelona were expecting to complete the signing of Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder Ronaldinho on a five-year contract after agreeing a fee with his French club, Paris St Germain.
PSG president Francis Graille told the French club's website on Saturday (July 19): "I can confirm we have signed an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Ronaldo Assis de Moreira, known as Ronaldinho, who will join the Catalan club for the next five seasons.
"However, I do not wish to confirm the size of the transfer fee.
"We really hope we can very quickly reach the end of a transfer which has made a lot of news."
Ronaldinho arrived in Barcelona on Saturday and was in talks at the club's offices. His brother and agent, Roberto Assis, earlier met Barca president Joan Laporta, vice-president Sandro Rosell and other senior club officials at the Nou Camp.
"I've spoken with the player and he is anxious to sign for Barcelona," said Rosell, who conducted the negotiations with Paris St Germain.
Rosell told Barcelona's website that a deal with the player over a five-year contract was close, but said that it had not yet been finalised. Media reports said Barcelona had agreed to pay the French club between 25 million ($28.03 million) and 30 million euros ($33.63 million) for Ronaldinho, who was one of the most influential figures in Brazil's World Cup triumph last year.
If Barcelona get Ronaldinho to put pen to paper on a deal it will be quite a triumph for Laporta, who faced stiff competition from Manchester United for the talented midfielder.
The English champions had appeared set to clinch Ronaldinho's signing earlier this week when manager Alex Ferguson described the deal as "just about there". But earlier on Saturday United issued a statement on their official website that said: "In order to bring the talks to a conclusion the club have spoken again with both PSG and the player's representatives.
"Following our final written offer submitted on Friday morning, we have notified all parties that unless an agreement is reached by 1900 Central European Time (1700 GMT) today (Saturday), Manchester United will withdraw from the process."
Ronaldinho had earlier stated a preference for playing for United but the player is now set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo and become the latest high-profile Brazilian to play for Barcelona.
Ronaldinho's arrival would see Laporta making good on his promise to bring in at least one "crack" -- the word used in Spain to describe a world-class player with a media profile to match.
The Brazilian will become the fifth signing of the Laporta era if and when his move goes through. The new president has already signed Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber, Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia, Mexican centre-back Rafael Marquez and Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma.
Bureau Report
"I've spoken with the player and he is anxious to sign for Barcelona," said Rosell, who conducted the negotiations with Paris St Germain.
Rosell told Barcelona's website that a deal with the player over a five-year contract was close, but said that it had not yet been finalised. Media reports said Barcelona had agreed to pay the French club between 25 million ($28.03 million) and 30 million euros ($33.63 million) for Ronaldinho, who was one of the most influential figures in Brazil's World Cup triumph last year.
If Barcelona get Ronaldinho to put pen to paper on a deal it will be quite a triumph for Laporta, who faced stiff competition from Manchester United for the talented midfielder.
The English champions had appeared set to clinch Ronaldinho's signing earlier this week when manager Alex Ferguson described the deal as "just about there". But earlier on Saturday United issued a statement on their official website that said: "In order to bring the talks to a conclusion the club have spoken again with both PSG and the player's representatives.
"Following our final written offer submitted on Friday morning, we have notified all parties that unless an agreement is reached by 1900 Central European Time (1700 GMT) today (Saturday), Manchester United will withdraw from the process."
Ronaldinho had earlier stated a preference for playing for United but the player is now set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo and become the latest high-profile Brazilian to play for Barcelona.
Ronaldinho's arrival would see Laporta making good on his promise to bring in at least one "crack" -- the word used in Spain to describe a world-class player with a media profile to match.
The Brazilian will become the fifth signing of the Laporta era if and when his move goes through. The new president has already signed Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber, Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia, Mexican centre-back Rafael Marquez and Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma.
Bureau Report