Allardyce fears worst over Rivaldo

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has admitted it is now looking unlikely that the club will sign Brazil World Cup star Rivaldo this summer.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan player met Allardyce for talks late last month but the club have not heard from him for more than a week.

Rivaldo had flown back to South America to consider his future after his meeting with Bolton officials.

Allardyce told the club’s official website, www.bwfc.co.uk: “We’ve had no word from him and I think it’s dead in the water at the moment. We’ve had no ‘yes’ in terms of commitment.

“It’s not 100% finished but looks very, very doubtful from our point of view.”

Rivaldo is currently without a club after leaving Cruzeiro earlier this year. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill yesterday revealed his interest in the player.