PSG bid for Pauleta opens way for Ronaldinho transfer

A bid by Paris St Germain to buy Bordeaux's Portuguese striker Pauleta might open the way for their Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho to join Manchester United.

The l'Equipe sports daily reported Tuesday that PSG had offered eight million euros for Pauleta who has only one year left on his contract at Bordeaux.

"If we get a good offer we have to listen because next year he'll be worth nothing to us," Bordeaux coach Elie Baup told l'Equipe.

Under European labour laws governing the movement of players, Pauleta would be free to join another club for nothing when his contract expires.

A Pauleta move could accelerate the departure of Ronaldinho for Old Trafford.

L'Equipe said United had improved their offer to 25 million euros plus additional payments based on performance that would make the deal worth 35 million euros (40 million dollars).

That would match the Real Madrid offer. The Spanish club were prepared to leave Ronaldinho at Paris for a year but if PSG sign Pauleta they would no longer need Ronaldinho.

"If Pauleta is going to sign for Paris it'll be done by Wednesday," A PSG insider told l'Equipe.

Bordeaux were reported to have already found a successor to Pauleta, leading scorer in the French league last season, in a Brazilian called David who plays for Cruzeiro.

The only stumbling block would be if French champions Lyon snatched Pauleta from under PSG's noses.

Lyon are looking for a replacement for their Brazilian captain Sonny Anderson and were reported to be ready to match PSG's offer.

Ronaldinho was in London to launch a video game last week and made contradictory statements about his future. It was unclear whether he wanted to join Real or Manchester.