United up offer for Ronaldinho

MANCHESTER UNITED has raised their offer for Ronaldinho to nearly £18 million.

Paris St Germain are waiting to see the new bid in writing before deciding whether to accept the offer.

Ronaldinho’s agent Roberto Assis confirmed the Brazilian’s future should be sorted out by Thursday.

But one club bumped out of the running is Chelsea, who, according to Paris St Germain president Francis Graille, does not interest the Brazilian star.

The London club, armed with Roman Abramovich’s millions, have been in contact with PSG regarding the 23-year-old, but Graille believes it is a straight fight between United and Real.

He said: “Chelsea have plenty of money, but I don’t see the sporting interest in Ronaldinho going to them.

“I’ve been in contact with several clubs every day. Officials from Manchester United came over yesterday. Perhaps I will talk to them today.

"I will speak to (Madrid president) Florentino Perez this morning. Manchester United will have to put a substantial offer in for us to let Ronaldinho go.”

It has become clear that both PSG and Ronaldinho would prefer an agreement with Real as it would wipe out the French club’s £8 million debt to Real from the Niclas Anelka deal three years ago and would allow the Brazilian to link up with friends Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos at the Bernabeu.

United, however, could eventually win his signature, but they will probably have to stump up £18 million in transfer fees and agree a package that puts Ronaldinho on a par with Roy Keane’s £100,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford.

United certainly have the money, but they will not want to lavish every penny from the £25 million sale of David Beckham in one move.

“Manchester United and Real Madrid are continuing negotiations with PSG,” Assis explained.

But United have already had an offer for the player rejected by PSG, and they will not want another rejected as that could see them come under pressure from their fans, who have seen the exit door at Old Trafford used more frequently than the welcoming mat.

Meanwhile, Brazilian team-mate Juninho has urged Ronaldinho to join the Premiership’s elite and claims his international colleague would be a massive star if he signed for United.

Middlesbrough’s diminutive midfielder is confident Ronaldinho has what it takes to be successful in the Premiership.

The concern with signing South American players always comes back to whether the player can adjust to the changing climate, language and cultural differences and, just as importantly, the contrast in style of football.

However, Juninho is an expert on the subject, having been one of the few big Premiership hits from Brazil. And he is certain Ronaldinho’s game would suit the fast-paced Premier League style.

Juninho, who is desperate to see more Brazilians plying their trade in England, said yesterday: “We have a good relationship when we are together in the national team, but I am not that close to know exactly what is

going on. He would be able to adapt to the Premiership quite quickly because he is a very skilful and technically-gifted player.

“He would be able to play the quick football that is required in the Premiership,” he added.

Meanwhile, Harry Kewell and Leeds are understood to be locked in talks designed to iron out a snag which has held up a £7 million move to Liverpool.

Kewell had been expected to sign for Liverpool, going so far as to say his goodbyes to his Leeds team-mates and boss Peter Reid at the club’s Thorp Arch training complex on Monday.

But the transfer is on ice at present for Kewell, who still has a year left on his current deal and is believed to be seeking a loyalty payment in respect of that.

Cash-strapped Leeds have balked at the request, forcing agent Bernie Mandic to try and reach a compromise so the move can go ahead.

Kewell has already claimed that after talking to Liverpool “for over six months... everything just seems to be right for me to go there”.

In further revelations, he added: “I’m not going to change my mind and hopefully they don’t change theirs.”

Leeds manager Peter Reid, although understandably unhappy at losing a player of Kewell’s class, will be hoping any problems are resolved so he can finally start to make his own moves in the transfer market.

Reid is in need of the Kewell cash to fund approaches for the likes of Julian Gray, who is a natural replacement for Kewell as he operates on the left wing.

Gray, who recently snubbed the offer of a new contract from Crystal Palace, is to join in with the start of pre-season training at Leeds today.

It is understood the 23-year-old will cost United a nominal fee of around £500,000 as he does not fall into the Bosman category, although other clubs are known to be keeping an eye on his situation.

Kewell, though, may not be the only Australian leaving Elland Road this summer for Paul Okon is hankering after a move unless his situation improves under Reid.