Manchester, June 05: Manchester United are close to finalising a £9m deal for Brazil star Ronaldinho. Old Trafford chief executive Peter Kenyon was in France on Wednesday to conclude the deal with Paris St Germain officials.
The 23-year-old is in Brazil discussing the move with his family, but is thought to have provisionally agreed a five-year contract worth £3.2m a year. The arrival of Ronaldinho, who will be the first Brazilian to play for the club, is likely to seal the departure of David Beckham.
Kenyon confirmed on Tuesday that he had entered negotiations with Barcelona over a £30m deal for the England captain. And United are hoping that the Catalan club's interest in Beckham will spark a bidding war with fierce rivals Real Madrid, who could hijack the move.
Sir Alex Ferguson, currently on holiday in southern France, was told about Wednesday's events in Paris and would like the matter settled quickly. PSG officials were reported as saying on Wednesday that it was "99.9% certain Ronaldinho will leave for Manchester".
However, the French club are still clinging to the hope that their most-prized player will stay. The Parisian side are believed to be trying to sign Portuguese striker Pauleta from Bordeaux in a bid to make the club more appealing to Ronaldinho. And coach Vahid Halilhodzic has insisted Ronaldinho should see out the remainder of his contract, which ends in 2006.



Ronaldinho's agent Roberto Assis, who is also his brother, told French newspaper L'Equipe on Thursday: "PSG are making efforts to keep Ronaldinho." The capture of Ronaldinho, one of the world's most high-profile players, would mark the end of a year-long pursuit by Ferguson.



The United manager is looking to the Brazil playmaker to provide the missing ingredient that will bring Champions League glory back to Old Trafford. And if the move goes through, it will ease some of the disquiet among United fans, who are increasingly resigned to the idea of losing Beckham.


Bureau Report