Barca up the stakes in chase for Ronaldinho

MANCHESTER UNITED’S interest in signing Ronaldinho was tested to the limit yesterday as Barcelona upped the stakes in the contest to sign the midfielder, while the Old Trafford club have yet to agree either a fee or personal terms for fellow Brazilian Kleberson.

Barcelona have assumed pole position in the race to sign Ronaldinho from Paris Saint Germain with the Catalan side having offered around stg£21m, "completely superior" to United's offer according to the French club's president Francis Graille.

Kleberson now looks the more likely Brazilian to be at Old Trafford next season after he flew into England yesterday for talks. But it is understood that United have yet to agree a fee with his club Atletico Paranaense, nor a salary with the player himself, despite reports to the contrary.

Meanwhile, Juan Sebastian Veron's possible move to Chelsea looks to be off after the London side owner Roman Abramovich's billions notwithstanding - balked at his wage demands reported to be £90,000 a week.

But it is Ronaldinho's future which will be concerning United most. Alex Ferguson has identified him as the ideal replacement for David Beckham yet United do not want to dragged into an auction which could end up with them paying almost as much as they received for the England captain.

PSG president Graille certainly believes that Barcelona are now favourites to sign the 23-year-old World Cup-winner. Graille said: "The offer from Manchester is not satisfactory to us. I think Barcelona will be successful at 30m (stg£21m)."

Asked whether the offer from Old Trafford was insufficient compared to the sum which Barca are prepared to pay, Graille said: "Yes, completely. However nothing has been done yet."

The mood in Barcelona has changed from one of defeat earlier in the week to one of a near victory for the Catalans. Juanho Castillo, press secretary to Barca vice-president Sandro Rosell, said: "We are still fighting to get him now that we know Manchester have taken one step down in the negotiations."

Ronaldinho's agent and brother Roberto Assis has set a 48-hour deadline, or the player will stay in Brazil and not report back for pre-season training. If they are priced out of the market for Ronaldinho then United will have to look elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Belgium defender Daniel van Buyten will not be joining United this summer. The centre-back extended his contract at Marseille by one year until 2007.