Saint Etienne (France), June 24: Paris Saint Germain's Ronaldinho is benefiting from Brazil's Confederations Cup elimination to take a holiday just as reports suggest a new club as joined in the hunt to buy him.
Roberto assis, the world cup winner's brother who doubles up as his agent, has held face-to-face transfer talks with Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, the French sports daily L'equipe reported today. Shepherd was said to have invited assis to his holiday home to explore the possibility of the Brazil star moving to the English Premiership club which has qualified for next season's champions league. This comes hot on the heels of an alleged meeting between the 23-year-old player and Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson in Paris last thursday.
Ronaldinho has declined to comment on all the speculation surrounding his future over the past week, insisting whenever the subject was raised that he wanted to concentrate on the tournament "100 per cent".

"I am going to be returning to Brazil to take some holiday", Ronaldinho announced after his country was knocked out of the Confederations Cup by Turkey yesterday.

Bureau Report