PSG raise Ronaldinho stakes

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has been told he can have Paris st Germain’s Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho for Euros ...

By: Agence France Presse

Paris | July 2, 2003 12:00 AM IST

3 min read

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has been told he can have Paris st Germain’s Brazil World Cup star Ronaldinho for Euros 45 million ($52 million).

PSG president Francis Graille, due to meet Kenyon and United directors David Gill and Maurice Watkins tomorrow, has been boosted by major shareholder Canal Plus Television’s decision to raise Euros 20 million for the cash-strapped club.

Ronaldo brushes aside
Brazil’s dismal form

Rio De Janeiro: Brazil striker Ronaldo has brushed aside the dismal recent performances by the five-times world champions, saying they will perform when it matters.
“It’s always been like that with the national team. We run into difficulties, but when it matters we get what we want just as we did at the World Cup last year,” he said.
Brazil have played nine games since the World Cup final against Germany one year ago, winning three, drawing three and losing three.
They were knocked out of the Confederations Cup in France in the first round after sending an experimental team with 11 uncapped players. Ronaldo was among the players rested.
Ronaldo said he was satisfied with his first season at Real Madrid following his controversial transfer from Inter Milan.
“It was good because I scored 23 goals and we won the championship,” he said. “I hope to improve next year, scoring more goals and winning more titles.”
“Real Madrid’s philosophy is to have the best players. Competition is good in any team. There’s room for everyone.” Reuters

“If they come with an offer of Euros 45 million things can go very fast,” Graille told Le Parisien daily.

United were reported to have offered $24 million.

PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic has changed his attitude towards the player. When he was appointed last month he refused to contemplate Ronaldinho leaving.

“Of course if we get a good offer we have to consider it,” he said.

World Cup winner Ronaldinho, best known for fooling England goalkeeper David Seaman with a 40 metre free-kick in last year’s World Cup quarter-finals, has a contract with the French club until 2006.

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The 23-year-old Brazilian’s agent Roberto Assis Metgraille on Sunday and expects the move to be concluded by the end of the week.

Assis held talks with Kenyon last Friday and emerged confident of a deal being struck.

PSG, whose appeal to the French league’s financial watchdog to lift restrictions on transfer dealings, need the cash to buy Bordeaux’s Portuguese striker Pauleta.

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