Manchester City chasing £10m Ronaldinho

[dww]

by Martin Lipton [Mirror]

Ronaldinho is set to join Manchester City's Brazilian stars after opening the door on a move away from AC Milan.City boss Mark Hughes tried to land the striker from Barcelona last summer - even before the cash-ladentakeover by the Abu Dhabi United group that made the Eastlands outfit the richest club on the planet.Flamengo have also targeted the player but Ronaldinho's brother Roberto de Assis Moreira said: "There is no chance of Ronaldinho going back to Brazil at the end of the season.'But if you ask me whether he could change teams in Europe, I would say yes, definitely."City were humiliated when their attempt to land Brazilian superstar Kaka in a world record deal in January flopped.But they should have more luck with Ronaldinho who would team up with fellow countrymen Robinho and Elano at Eastlands.Ronaldinho has two years left on a £6million-per-year contract he signed last summer as part of a £16m move from Barcelona.But Milan will be ready to let him go for around £10m.Speculation persists over Hughes' own future at the club despite the Welshman's conviction that he will be given the chance to spend some of the huge transfer kitty that will be on offer.

[Leyton388]

Well he is ugly enough to play in manchester thats for sure!!

[Leyton388]

He is past it anyway

[Chris]

Exactly the sort of player they dont need, done deal then.

[Exiled_red]

I guess he's a high profile signing, whether he's still up to it on the pitch is the question. Off the pitch I think it could be a good signing for them because he's still a high profile signing and could encourage more high profile players to make the move

[LiousRed]

He is past it anyway

Well, Well past it

I saw he had a great game a few days ago but it seems when he isn't hurt, he has lost several steps

[The_weatherman]

It's frustating to see all those Brasilians, Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ronaldo getting sidetracked by the social life and other distractions. They are not professional enough, compare that to the tit C.Ronaldo who is always trying to improve.

[lickedlollipop]

nightlife in italy and spain seems to be much better

[-V-]

Hope they get him.

[Craig_H]

To be fair, much as he'd likely flop, £10m is nothing to them and they'd probably make a portion of it back through shirt sales.

If they sign him and he flops, it wont really be any big disaster for them. It'll be fun seeing him try and cope with the PL though.

[-V-]

He would flop badly because he's just not the same player he was 5 years ago. It would be fun to see them waste time on him and he could provide the odd trick for match of the day.

Plus him and Elano could have joint webcam sessions now

[Leyton388]

He will struggle here because even in italy you get the time and place and he is struggling over there so he has no chance in the prem where you get little or no space to play.