Ronaldinho
RONALDINHO could join Chelsea for a cut-price £14million
next summer. The worlds best player will be able to use Article 17
of FIFAs regulations to leave Barcelona by buying up the remaining
two years of his contract.
FIFA rules state a player who is 28 and has played for the same
club for five years can buy his freedom by paying the rest of his
contract. SunSport revealed on Tuesday the Brazilians brother has
agreed a provisional deal which could see the forward join Chelsea
next summer. AC Milan will also go for Ronaldinho, 28 in March,
should he leave Barca. And the two-time World Player of the Year
would be prepared to activate the FIFA rule the same one Frank
Lampard could have used last summer to leave Stamford Bridge on the
cheap.
Ronaldinho has become frustrated at the Catalan club, who have held
back for two years on a deal to extend his contract to 2014. His
brother Roberto De Assis admitted last night: Contact with Milan
or Chelsea? It is well known I have relationships with a lot of
people and we talk about several different players.
A player like my brother can attract the greatest clubs. Could he
leave Barca? In football everything changes so quickly. He has an
idyllic life at Barcelona but I cant say he will never
leave.
Nou Camp bosses maintain they do not want Ronaldinho to go. A
statement last night read: We consider Ronaldinho a fundamental
piece in our current project. For that reason we are not planning
any other option other than his continuity in our first
team.
Just to add to Barcelonas frustrations, arch-enemies Real Madrid
have indicated they may try to snatch Ronaldinho. Real technical
director Pedja Mijatovic said: If there is any possibility
Ronaldinho will leave we will be there. He would have a place in
any team.
If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich does move to try to capture the
Samba Boy, it would spark a huge battle for his signature. However
Europes giants have a gentlemens agreement not to poach players
on the cheap by taking advantage of FIFAs rules.
