Ronaldinho future likely to be sorted quickly
The Brazilian star is due to return for pre-season training with Paris St Germain today and a meeting has been set up with the team's new president Francis Graille.
The player's brother and agent Roberto Assis said: "We have a meeting with the PSG president in the morning and we will discuss it during the day with the interested clubs. I have not spoken to Real Madrid but I have spoken to Barcelona and to Manchester United."
He could not confirm reports in Paris that Barca president Joan Laporta had submitted a new €30m who look to be favourites to land the player.
Assis, who has been his brother's guardian since their father died when he was a boy, said: "I have heard PSG received an offer from Barcelona but I can not confirm it."
Earlier yesterday Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had appeared to retreat from the battle to sign the Brazilian although he would only say the player would not join the club this year.
He said: "The question of signings for next season is now closed. Yesterday we finished the signing of (Gabriel) Milito and with that we have now completed the four central defenders the club needs.
"For that reason Ronaldinho will not come to Real Madrid this year."
However, it has been reported previously that a deal could be struck to bring Ronaldinho to the Bernabeu next year, allowing him to stay with PSG for another year.
That deal, which might also include a down payment, could be attractive to Graille and incoming PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic who had vowed not to sell the player when they took charge in June but have now admitted that the club's financial situation is worse than they had thought when they made the pledge to keep a player who is contracted until 2006.
A PSG boardroom source said earlier yesterday that Barca had lodged a bid worth 30m 90% would be paid in cash with two more players moving from the Nou Camp to the Parc des Princes.
United are keeping their cards close to their chest despite reports manager Alex Ferguson has taken personal charge of negotiations to sign the player he hopes will replace David Beckham in the hearts of the Old Trafford fans. An Old Trafford spokesman said: "We are pursuing our interest in the player."
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has committed himself to the club despite concerns over his future following the arrival of new owner Roman Abramovich.
Ranieri fended off speculation the Russian billionaire was keen to take some part in team selection. But having met with Abramovich, Ranieri has said he is very happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.
"The meeting was interesting because now he knows my ideas, I know his and there is a good link," he said.
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