Cicinho prefers to return to Brazil

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Barcelona (read more here), AS Roma right back defender Cicinho (29) has said in an interview with Brazilian sport site Globo Esporte that he actually would prefer to return to Brazil although he didn't exclude a transfer:

"I learned about Barcelona's interest through the press. I didn't hear anything official. I am happy to know that an important club like Barça is interested in me. But my true desire is to return to Brazil. I am not happy in Europe and I have been thinking about this for two years. I even had several talks with São Paulo president Juvenal but Roma doesn't want to release me.

As I said, I didn't hear anything and I continue working hard and giving everything for Roma. I do not have an agent, but Ricardo Sarti, a friend, is taking care of these things. I have not yet talked to him. But if Barcelona's offer is good for all parties, that would be fine for me. I am now in the final stage of the recovery from my right knee injury. I think that within twenty days to one month, I will be playing normally."

Read more:
Transfer Cicinho could be closed in coming days
Eboue tops right back target list
Cicinho and Grygera also options for right back


Watch this video of Cicinho:

Porto, Ajax and Germany also options for Keirrison

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that the agents of Barcelona forward Keirrison (20) are analyzing the last offers for the player.

The Malaquias brothers would travel today to Portugal to start negotiating with Portuguese champions Porto. They could also meet with officials of Benfica, that would also be interested.

Asked about the upcoming loan, agent Marcos Malaquias said in an interview with the site that a decision can be expected at the beginning of next week: "Porto and Ajax have the best chances at this moment but nothing has been decided yet. There's a lot of talk here in Spain that Benfica would already have signed him, but there's no truth in that. After Barça made public that he will leave on loan, a lot of clubs have shown interest. We'll make a decision on Monday or Tuesday."

Portuguese sports paper O Jogo meanwhile claims that Benfica is no longer interested in Keirrison. Asked about the rumours, agent Naor Malaquias nevertheless told the paper that the Portuguese club is still among the candidates: "Benfica is one of the potential candidates to sign the player, like are Roma, Ajax and a German club."

Read more:
Roma also interested in Keirrison loan
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Benfica to loan Keirrison

Filipe putting pressure on Deportivo

Deportivo La Coruña left back defender Filipe Luis (23) has over the last days put some more pressure on his club to let him go by clearly expressing his wish to move. In an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte, Filipe said he wants to join Barcelona:

"I'm on holiday, but my agents are keeping me informed the whole time. The negotiations are ongoing and I hope that the clubs can find an agreement. Like everybody already knows, my wish is to join Barcelona

I think that there will be news in the coming days. It would be the big chance of my career, also because Barça would give me more visibility and it would make that my return to the Brazilian national team easier, which is my biggest dream."

Read more:
Deadline for Filipe transfer
Filipe hoping for a quick solution
Difficult negotiations with Deportivo on Filipe

Keirrison to give press conference next week

Asked about his presumed transfer to Barcelona (read more here), Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20) has said in an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte that he will give a press confrence next week:

"Next week, me and my agents want to hold a press conference to explain everything. I want to tell everyone what is going on and how things happened in the recent days. It was all very sudden. Meanwhile, I'd rather not comment on anything.

Edmilson was right when he said I need to say goodbye to my team-mates and the people of the club. I want to talk to him, also to get some tips about Barcelona. But it went all very fast, things happened overnight, I didn't forget the players. I only could talk with two of them by phone, but I'll come back soon to say goodbye to everyone and thank them."

Keirrison is meanwhile staying with his family in Curitiba after he was released from training by his club next week. The Brazilian striker would be holding training sessions at a local training centre. Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Keirrison has also met with Barcelona player Henrique, who played last season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen.

Read more:
Medical tests and signature Keirrison next week
First formal bid for Villa
Official announcement Keirrison deal postponed

Keirrison will sign contract tomorrow

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20) will sign tomorrow a five-year contract with Barcelona.



(sources: rac 1, sport, tv3, as, el periódico, globo esporte, lance)

Last Thursday, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona director of football Raúl Sanllehí met with André Cury, a representative of Brazilian player's agency Traffic that owns 80 per cent of the transfer rights of the player, the other 20 per cent being in the possession of Palmeiras. Traffic chairman Júlio Mariz also took part in the meeting.

The negotiations are then said to be well-advanced, a pre-agreement would have been reached. Cury says: "We're optimistic regarding a deal. As we are concerned, we now have a pre-agreement that we hope to finalize on Tuesday." Barcelona would already have had before agreed on an option on the player that expired on 30 June.

On Friday, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain had a lunch with Marcos Malaquias, one of the player's agents Marcos Malaquias in a Barcelona restaurant to negotiate on the player's contract. In the afternoon, Malaquias and Mariz met with Barcelona officials at the club's offices.

Naor Malaquias, the other agent of Keirrison confirmed the talks: "My brother and a Traffic director are in Barcelona to take part in the negotiations. I don't know anything about possible fees yet." Marcos Malaquias said after the meeting that a deal was very close: "There are only a few details missing before it's official."

It was then decided that Keirrison wouldn't train or play anymore with Palmeiras. The Brazilian striker travelled the same day to his home-town Keirrison, where he was getting ready to fly to Barcelona. Palmeiras put out a statement confirming a formal offer by Barcelona, Keirrison did the same (read more here). Barcelona president Joan Laporta says the next day that they're on the verge of finalizing the deal.

Despite having more than four years left on his contract, Keirrison can leave Palmeiras without an extra fee. When he signed his contract earlier this year, a clause was inserted that allowed him to move at any moment to Barcelona, his favourite club since childhood (read more here). Sport claims that Keirrison also insisted that in his contract with Traffic a buyout clause would be included saying that he could leave to Barcelona for 15 million euro°. For other clubs, the buyout clause would be 50 million euro.

Other sources mention other figures regarding the agreed transfer fee: "13 million plus 3 million in incentives" (tv3), "around 14 million euro" (el periódico), "around 15 million euro" (globo esporte), "16 million euro" (lance). Keirrison, who also rejected an offer by Real Madrid in January, will most likely be included, on loan or permanently, in a transfer deal on Villa or (more unlikely) on Forlán or Bruno Alves.

Read more:
Deal on transfer of Keirrison
Keirrison dreams of Barcelona move
Barcelona prepares final offer for Villa

Porto goalkeeper unaware of Barcelona interest

Asked about the rumours linking him with Barcelona (read more here), Porto goalkeeper Helton (31) let his press office send a statement to Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte saying that he is unaware of things:

"I am in Brazil to take care of some business matters and I will return to Europe this week to be with my family and to enjoy the holidays. I already said that I'm happy in Portugal and if I would have to leave, that will be decided by myself, my wife, my agent Nelson Almeido and in the first place by the board of Porto."

Read more:
Barcelona sounded out Porto goalkeeper Helton
Talks in Portugal on Bruno Alves
Valdes will renew until 2014 or 2015

Barcelona sounded out Porto goalkeeper Helton

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Barcelona is interested in Porto goalkeeper Helton (31).

Sources close to the Brazilian player would have told the site that agents linked with Barcelona have sounded out Helton about a transfer at the end of last season.

*Asked about the rumours, the player's uncle and agent Marival Gomes said in an interview with Portuguese radio station Antena 1 that he doesn't know anything about it: "We have no information about that at all. You are informing me right now. For us, it is a surprise. To be founded, the news should come from Porto president Pinto da Costa.

It's not important which clubs are interested in Helton. We have great respect and admiration for Porto and the president. Although it's nice to hear, the best news is still that Helton has become champions with Porto for the third time and he's not thinking about leaving. Unless when there would be a proposal that is good for both him and the club." *

Read more:
Barcelona starts negotiations with Asenjo
Txiki met with agent Bruno Alves
Valdes renewal negotiations broken off

Fluminense interested in Sylvinho

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Brazilian club Fluminense is interested in Barcelona left back defender Sylvinho (35), whose contract expires at the end of this month and won't be renewed (read more here).

The Brazilian club had earlier announced in an official statement that they are negotiating the last details of the signing of a player who is currently playing in Europe and Sylvinho would be one of the three candidates.

British tabloid News of the World meanwhile claims that the search for a new manager has stopped the contacts between Celtic Glasgow and Sylvinho. Asked about the matter, the player's agent Hans Lamberz said that he'll look at other options: "Celtic are a huge club who play in the Champions League and one that would normally appeal. But I doubt it will happen now."

Read more:
Espanyol interested in Sylvinho
OFFICIAL: Sylvinho will leave
Celtic Glasgow is an option for Sylvinho

All parties involved deny deal on Keirrison

Asked about the rumours about a principal agreement on the transfer of Palmeiras forward Keirrison to Barcelona (read more here), the player's agent Marcos Malaquias denied the rumour in an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte:

"I talked informally with Barcelona sports director Begiristain on Tuesday. We have an excellent relationship because Barcelona recently contracted Henrique, who's also one of my players.

But he didn't made any proposal for Keirrison. We know that it'ss a player who's being watched by a lot of clubs, but until now there's nothing official.

We have a project for Keirrison, we want him to stay until the middle of next year. But it is clear that we cannot say that things won't change. Because some of those clubs, when they want a player, they just come and take him with them. But at this moment, there's not much to tell."

Malaquias also commented on the issue in an interview with Brazilian sports site UOL Esporte: "Barcelona really showed interest but didn't yet start any negotiations with the player. It's obvious that all eyes are on him. Who would not want to have Keirrison in his team?

But it was only an informal meeting and there was no proposal. In principle, we want Keirrison to stay at Palmeiras at least until the end of the year. But if a European top club would make a very good proposal, that could change. We know that anything can happen in football, but the player will have the final word."

Jose Hawilla, chairman of sports marketing agency Traffic that owns the player's transfer rights for the next four years, said in an interview with Brazilian radio station Rádio Record that a transfer is not an option at this moment:

"Keirrison hasn't been offered and the plan is that he stays. He's not for sale. Directors can come from Spain or Italy, but no one will be able to prevent this. Those directors are here the whole time. Last week, we had four of them from Germany who came and watched some games. But Keirrison is simply not for sale."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta also denied to journalists that a deal has already been closed: "We're of course talking with several players who could join us in the future but there's no transfer for next season finalized. Relating to Keirrison, there's nothing agreed yet. If this would be the case, we would know it. Txiki is doing his job, he's holding talks, but there's nothing more to say at this moment."

Keirrison meanwhile told journalists that he's focusing on his club: "I don't think about this, I leave that for my agents. My head is only focused on Palmeiras. But I know that in July, when the transfer window will open, the speculations will start again."

Read more:
Principal agreement with Keirrison
Keirrison dreams of Barcelona move
Possible deal on Brazilian striker Keirrison


Watch this video of Keirrison:

Coritiba receives part of Henrique fee

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Brazilian first division club Coritiba has received 314 000 euro° for the transfer of Barcelona central defender Henrique (22).

Henrique joined Barcelona last summer from Palmeiras and was immediately loaned out to German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen (read more here).

In January of this year, Henrique left then second division club Coritiba for Palmeiras and the fee is a consequence of the FIFA solidarity mechanism.

FIFA rules state that a proportion (5%) of any compensation paid to the previous club will be distributed to the club or clubs that were involved in the training and education of the player. This distribution will be made in proportion to the number of years the player has been registered with the relevant clubs between the age of 12 and 23.

Brazilian sports paper Lance claims that Brazilian local club Colombo and Brazilian first division club Palmeiras will also receive a part of the five per cent.

Read more:
How is Henrique doing at Bayer leverkusen?
OFFICIAL: Henrique Adriano Buss
Henrique will be loaned out to Leverkusen

Barcelona in pole position for Keirrison

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Coritiba forward and Brazilian youth international Keirrison de Souza Carneiro (19) (read more here).

Barcelona's good relations with Brazilian sport marketing agency Traffic could bring the striker to Barcelona in the future.

The paper also claims that Keirrison is on a ten men short-list of former Barcelona sports vice president Sandro Rosell who will take part in the presidential elections of 2010. Keirrison would be one of the players Rosell will promise to bring to Barcelona if he's chosen as the new president.

Based on reports in Brazilian news paper Lance and Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte, the situation today is that sports marketing agency Mais Sports of the brothers Naor and Marcos Malaquias has yesterday sold 80 per cent of the transfer rights of Keirrison to sports marketing agency Traffic. Mais Sports keeps on representing Keirrison and will have a part of the future transfer fee.

The other 20 per cent are owned by Brazilian first division club Coritiba. Because Keirrison's contract with the club expires next April, Coritiba prefers to sell their share now. Traffic wants to buy the 20 per cent and then transfer the player to local fourth division club Desportivo Brasil, that is owned by Traffic.

Desportivo Brasil would then loan the player out to Brazilian first division club Palmeiras. Keirrison would join Palmeiras in January in order to gain more experience before he makes the move to Europe in the coming years.

Read more:
Possible deal on Brazilian striker Keirrison
Hernanes could come next summer
Barcelona following Brazilian striker Dentinho


Watch a video of Keirrison:

Last details of Henrique transfer being resolved

Asked about the rumours linking Palmeiras central defender and Brazilian international Henrique Adriano Buss (21), who is close to joining Barcelona with a loan deal (read more here), Henrique's agent Marcos Malaquias said to Brazilian sports paper Lance that he hasn't heard about that possibility so far:

"I haven't yet been informed on a possible loan. But I will meet on Wednesday with Barcelona officials to resolve all outstanding issues. In any case we will do whatever is best for the player."

In an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte, Malaquias said that on Monday he was contacted by the Ajax Amsterdam board who considered a last minute attempt to sign the player: "I thanked Ajax for the renewed interest, but explained to them that we have already signed a contract with Barcelona. There are just some minor burocratic details left for Henrique to be presented in Spain."

Catalan sports paper Sport says that Henrique could arrive in Barcelona next Monday. The paper claims that Guardiola will first watch the player during the first weeks of the pre-season and then decide if he has his place with the squad or if he will be loaned out. Dutch clubAjax would in that case be the first option (read more here).

Sevilla sports paper Estadio Deportivo meanwhile claims that Betis Sevilla could be another option. Barcelona would be looking for a partner in the Primera División where young players like Henrique could gain some experience with European football and with the Spanish league and Betis could be that club.

Read more:

Henrique confirms transfer to Barcelona

Brazilian defender Alex Silva high on list

Henrique transfer is one fax away

Henrique transfer is one fax away

Brazilian club Palmeiras has confirmed on its official website that the negotiations with Barcelona on the transfer of Palmeiras central defender and Brazilian international Henrique Adriano Buss (21) has entered the final stage.

A deal is very close and Henrique has therefore been removed from the Palmeiras squad for this weekend's Brazilian league game. During yesterday afternoon's training session, the central defender did even have to leave the training pitch.

André Cury, a representative of sports marketing agency Traffic that ownes the rights on Henrique (read more here), confirmed the advanced stage of the negotiations to Brazilian sports site UOL Esporte: "Henrique is almost transferred. We're now just waiting for a last fax from Barcelona."

Barcelona would pay 10 million euro° for Henrique, who will sign a five-year contract. Palmeiras receives twenty per cent of the difference between the transfer fee and the 2,5 million euro fee paid by Traffic in January (read more here). Three and a half per cent of the final fee will go to Brazilian club Coritiba as training rights.

Palmeiras sports director Toninho Cecílio said in an interview with Brazilian radio station Rádio Globo that his club, that initially had hoped to be able to loan Henrique back from Barcelona until the end of the year, is alreay looking for someone to replace the player:

"We will miss Henrique but there are market conditions that don't make it easy to hold on to the player. The agents of the players have found today (this is yesterday) a deal on the salary and the duration of the contract. They reached a verbal agreement for five years. The deal isn't yet one hundred per cent finalized. There are still some details left between Barcelona, Palmeiras and Traffic but I believe that there won't be any problems. In terms of return on investment his time with us has surely been excellent."

Catalan sports paper Sport, who claims that Barcelona will pay between 8 and 10 million euro°, says that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain found last week a deal with the player. This week Barcelona agreed with the owners on the transfer fee.

It seems that Henrique will start the pre-season with Barcelona. After that, the technical staff will decide if they keep the Brazilian with the team or find another solution. Despite having German roots, Henrique doesn't have an passport of a European Union country, which shouldn't be a problem since Barcelona still has some non-EU spots available.

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that Henrique, who can play on all defense positions and as defensive midfielder, will travel to Barcelona in the beginning of next week.

Watch video:
Henrique presented as Palmeiras player earlier this year

Read more:
Agent confirms Henrique talks

Brazilian defender Alex Silva high on list

Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Sao Paulo holding on to Hernanes buyout fee

Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo claims that Barcelona could make a formal offer for São Paulo attacking midfielder and Brazilian international Hernanes (23) before the end of this week.

With São Paulo owning 75 per cent of the rights on the player, they will be the ones who will decide on a transfer. Sports marketing agency Traffic holds 17 per cent while Hernanes holds 8 per cent.

São Paulo football director João Paulo de Jesus Lopez said in an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte that his club didn't receive any bid from Barcelona so far and again referred to the 25 million euro° buyout fee (read more here): "Two representatives from Traffic keep on talking about a presumed offer of 11 million euro°. But we want to talk from club to club. And since we're not interested to sell Hernanes, we will only start negotiating if the offer is the equivalent of the buyout clause."

Hernanes, whose contract with São Paulo expires in 2012, said earlier this week in an interview with Brazilian television channel SporTV that everything will depend on the position of his current club:

"I am happy in São Paulo but I knew this moment would come although I didn't expect it to come that soon. I'm calm about the whole situation cause I know everyting will depend on São Paulo. There's nothing official yet, but the board should anyhow first give the green light. If that comes, I will be more relaxed to think about what I want. But if the club doesn't want to negotiate, I will just stay here."

Read more:

Hernanes is not a priority

Moutinho still on the list

Hernanes will ask his club for an exit

Inter trying to change Ronaldinho's plans

Although last week it seemed that a deal on the transfer of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) to Milan was close, Inter Milan has not given up on the Brazilian. The fact that both Inter and Ronaldinho are sponsored by American sportswear supplier Nike could play a role in the process.

On Saturday, Inter president Massimo Moratti said in an interview with Italian television channel Sky Italia that his club is looking at the issue: "Next week we will asses the possbility and decide if we will act. We certainly have excellent relations with Barcelona and with the agent of Ronaldinho, so we'll see if we can go all the way. Milan for sure has done a good job opening this possibility."

That same day, Roberto de Assís, brother and agent of Ronaldinho, denied in an (unconfirmed) interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte that he is holding talks with officials from the two Milan teams: "We are not holding a Ronaldinho auction. At this moment I talk with Milan and I don't want to know about other teams. I haven't discussed with anyone from Inter. It would be against all ethics to do such a thing with Milan, who is opening their doors for us."

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Moratti has been talking with Roberto over the phone the past days and that the two will meet this week. Although this could just be a courtesy visit since Roberto would have promised the Inter president not to sign anything before the two have met, Moratti most probably will try to convince Roberto to change the plan to sign for Milan. Catalans sports paper Sport claims that Inter officials could arrive in Barcelona today to try to stop the transfer of Ronaldinho to Milan.

Read more:
Ronaldinho realizes it's over
Ronaldinho agrees terms with Milan
Inter president not giving up on Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho to Milan: principal agreement
Ronaldinho agent met with Milan and Inter

Ronaldinho realizes it's over

Although this weekend there has been a lot of speculation and comments about the possible transfer of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) to Milan, the deal has not been closed yet and it's not entirely clear if it will be officially announced soon. An update.

1. Ronaldinho
2. AC Milan
3. Barcelona
4. Inter Milan
5. Other clubs
6. Transfer price

1. Ronaldinho
Roberto de Assís, the brother and agent of Ronaldinho, declared Saturday afternoon in an (unconfirmed) interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte that the talks with Milan are actually just starting: "There is no real negotiation going on. What happened is that Milan has requested authorization to start talking with the player and that we had a first meeting." Roberto said a deal doesn't have to be expected soon, although the good relation between the parties could make things easier.

Saturday night, Roberto watched the Italian league game Juventus-Milan alongside AC Milan vice president Adrino Galliani. He told Italian television channel Italia 1 that his brother wants to join Milan and that he therefore will try to find an agreement: "But at the moment we are still at an early stage. We have asked Barcelona for permission to begin talks so that we can reach a deal. Now we are waiting for a response from them."

Roberto said yesterday an interview with French television channel Canal+ that the parties are coming closer: "Milan is enthusiastic about a possible transfer. Our positions have come closer, but you cannot say the deal is done. At this moment we still have a contract with Barcelona."

Meanwhile, Madrid sports tabloid As says that Ronaldinho is starting to realize his time in Barcelona is over, while he always had planned to stay until his contract expires in 2010, even convincing his brother who wanted to transfer Ronaldinho after the World Cup in Germany in 2006. People from the entourage of the player would have told the tabloid that Ronaldinho, who has disappeared from public life, is feeling "sad" and that he's going through some "bad days".

2. AC Milan
Milan vice president Galliani kept declaring the deal with Ronaldinho is in fact already closed: "When before we had a principal agreement, now we have an agreement. Barcelona has given us the permission to negotiate with the player and now that we have found a deal, we will return to talk with Barcelona."

Catalan sports paper Sport confirms that the deal with Milan is complete and claims that the Italian club wants to officially announce the transfer as soon as possible to please the fans after a disappointing season.

Milan general director Ariedo Braida said on Saturday that the transfer is "a done deal". It is believed that Ronaldinho will sign a contract for four seasons, until 2012, and earn 8 million euro a year (read more here).

3. Barcelona
Barcelona officials don't want to react to the latest developments (read more here). Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain said on Saturday that he doesn't want to talk about proceedings but only about facts.

Asked about a meeting last week between Begiristain, Roberto de Assís and a Milan representative (read more here), Barcelona sports vice president Marc Ingla seemed to confirm that meeting by saying: "It's normal that Txiki talks with people from the world of football."

Meanwhile, Catalan sports paper Sport reports that rumours are going around that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has allowed AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi to use Ronaldinho in his campaign for the Italian elections and that the whole thing has been a set up.

4. Inter
(this subject will treated in a separate contribution that will be published tomorrow)

5. Other clubs
Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Roberto de Assís has offered his brother to Real Madrid (read more here) as soon as Barcelona announced to him that they didn't count on Ronaldinho for next season. Real Madrid doesn't see Ronaldinho as a priority and is now first focusing on winning the Liga. If the player is still available after the season, they will look at the option.

Roberto would also continue to talk with English Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester City (read more here).

6. Transfer price
Media reports suggest that the transfer price could become a serious obstacle in the transfer process. Barcelona has rejected the initial Milan offer of 20 million euro and is asking 30 million euro for Ronaldinho (read more here). While leaving on a free transfer, like Roberto had asked in the beginning, doesn't seem an option anymore, Roberto and Milan still could consider to use the FIFA transfer regulations allowing Ronaldinho to leave for 16 million euro.

Catalan sport paper Sport claims that Barcelona is willing to be flexible but that they would prefer to receive at least 27 million euro, the price they paid to French club Paris Saint-Germain in 2003. Inter Milan would be ready to pay 25 million euro, Manchester City wouldn't mind to put 30 or even 40 million euro on the table in an attempt to win the race for the Brazilian star.

(read more on the Ronaldinho transfer story here)

Ronaldinho agent stirs things up

In an interview with Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte, Roberto de Assís, brother and agent of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28), said anything can happen at the end of this season and seems to suggest he would be willing to use the - since the so-called 'Webster ruling' famous - Article 17 of the FIFA transfer regulations, stating a player can leave after three year, having only to pay a compensation equalling the amount of the final years wages: "We know that there's a buyout clause of 125 million euro (°), but we also know of the existence of Article 17, which would make it possible to leave for far less." If the article is used, this would concretely mean Ronaldinho could leave Barcelona for about 16 million euro (°°).

Roberto, who says everything would change if Barcelona would win the Champions League, denied the rumour that he could use Porto Alegre, a club he owns, to transfer Ronaldinho to another club (read more here): "It's ridiculous to link Ronaldinho with Porto Alegre, a small second division team. His name should be linked with big clubs like Real Madrid or AC Milan without needing to pass by Porto Alegre." Adding that he doesn't want to exclude a transfer to Real Madrid, nor to any other club, mentioning the two Milan based teams.

Yesterday night, Roberto denied to Catalan radio station RAC 1 that he's planning to use Article 17 to dissolve Ronaldinho's contract with Barcelona: "I only replied when it was asked to me if I knew this legislation and of course I do." Rodrigo Sirico, the journalist of Globo Esporte who spoke with Roberto, nevertheless holds on to the first version and persists it was Ronaldinho's brother who brought up Article 17.

Roberto also said to RAC 1 there hasn't been any contact with Real Madrid. In an interview with Spanish television channel Cuatro, Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón denied that his club has any interest in Ronaldinho: "We consider that the players we have now in our squad are the best ones, so we don't have plans to change anything." In the coming days, Roberto will fly to Barcelona, where he could hold talks about the whole situation with Barcelona officials.

Meanwhile, Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that, of the many clubs following attentively the events surrounding Ronaldinho, English club Chelsea, who has been interested in the player for years and made an offer for him last summer, is at this moment the best placed team to bring in the Brazilian (read more here). Ronaldinho would have been discussed during a meeting on Tuesday between Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and player's agent Pini Zahavi, who has close relationships with Chelsea.

And to conclude: the rumour spread by different media since yesterday that Tottenham manager Juande Ramos would be interested in signing Ronaldinho is due to a misinterpretation of some quotes by the Spaniard in an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport.