PSG keen to keep Ronaldinho - agent

Paris St Germain are still determined to hang on to Ronaldinho despite intense speculation that he is set to move to Manchester United, according to his agent.

The Brazilian World Cup-winner has been linked with a £9m (€12.6m) move to Old Trafford, with some reports suggesting the deal is already complete.

But Ronaldinho’s agent Roberto Assis, who is also his brother, told French newspaper L’Equipe today: “PSG are making efforts to keep Ronaldinho.”

The Parisian side are believed to be trying to sign Portuguese striker Pauleta from Bordeaux in a bid to make the club more appealing to Ronaldinho and coach Vahid Halilhodzic is adamant the Brazilian will see out the remainder of his contract, which ends in 2006.

The 23-year-old has already indicated his “burning desire” to sign for the Red Devils and told the Sunday Herald last month: “Playing in the Premiership, at Manchester United in particular, is more than just a dream. It’s a concrete possibility.

“If PSG and United reach an agreement and everyone is happy with it, I’ll be very proud to come. At the same time, I’m proud to play for PSG.

“What more can I say about Manchester United? Everyone knows how powerful and respected they are in every corner of the globe. It would be a tremendous honour to be the first Brazilian in history to play for them.”

“When I think what it would be like to work with and learn from a master like (Manchester United manager Sir Alex) Ferguson, I get goose bumps.

“The idea of joining Manchester United makes me dream, because they are a big, successful club and play my kind of football. I have a burning desire to be involved with a club that plays in big games all the time.

“I must admit that I look at that competition and it makes me desperate to get involved. It’s like being a kid by a pool – you just want to jump in.”

Ferguson hinted after United’s Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid that he wanted to sign players with guile and the ability to take other players on – and Ronaldinho certainly fits the bill.