Real Madrid offer best bid for Ronaldinho
The best offer French First Division side Paris Saint-Germain have received for Brazilian international Ronaldinho has come from Real Madrid, the French club's president said.
The best offer French First Division side Paris Saint-Germain have received for Brazilian international Ronaldinho has come from Real Madrid, the French club's president said.
Francis Graille said on the club's website that the offer from the Spanish Division One champions would allow Paris Saint-Germain to keep the Brazilian World Cup star for another year.
"We would like to keep Ronaldinho but for the moment the only written offer we have received has come from Barcelona and Chelsea."
"There have been numerous rumours about a Manchester United offer but we haven't received any," Graille said.
The Brazilian has added fuel to the controversy surrounding him by not turning up for pre-season training with the cash-strapped French side.
"Ronaldinho will be punished. His attitude shows a lack of respect towards Paris Saint-Germain," Graille said.
The 23-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, told his brother and agent Roberto Assis that he is determined to play for Manchester United where he would be guaranteed Champions League football next season.
"Ronaldinho wants to go to Manchester United, so at the moment it's just a question of waiting for the deal to be completed," Assis told the Press Association Thursday.
Barcelona, who finished 6th in the Spanish First Division, remain one of the main contenders to lure the Brazilian after Graille said their offer was better than that of United's.
The Catalonian team have made a reported offer of 27 million euros (31 million dollars) along with French defender Philippe Christanval and Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme.
United were said to have offered 25 million euros plus performance bonuses which could raise the deal to 35 million euros (40 million dollars).
Paris Saint-Germain's signing of Portugese striker Pauleta on Thursday was believed to have opened the way for Ronaldinho's departure.
The French side's new coach Vahid Halilhodzic admitted there was only a slim chance of the Brazilian now staying in Paris.