Barcelona confirm City offer for Ronaldinho
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
BARCELONA, July 14 (AFP): Barcelona has received a 32 million euros (51 million dollar) offer for two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho from English Premiership side Manchester City, the Spanish club's president Joan Laporta said Monday.
The 28-year-old Brazilian - who is also subject to a 15million euros offer from AC Milan - will leave the club "with full honours", he told Catalunya Radio, adding the club had taken into account "the interests of the player as well as those of Barcelona" when deciding on whether he should go or not.
Laporta announced the offer from Manchester City, who are bankrolled by former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but did not say if the club would be the final destination for the player who was deemed surplus to requirements by Barcelona's new coach Pep Guardiola following a dip in form last season.
Negotiations over Ronaldinho's transfer were held over the weekend, he added.
City have persistently refused to give up on buying Ronaldinho and emailed Barcelona their offer Sunday night according to Monday's Daily Mail.
City are also prepared to pay the 28-year-old 100,000 pounds more a week than Italian giants AC Milan have offered.
The 28-year-old Brazilian - who is also subject to a 15million euros offer from AC Milan - will leave the club "with full honours", he told Catalunya Radio, adding the club had taken into account "the interests of the player as well as those of Barcelona" when deciding on whether he should go or not.
Laporta announced the offer from Manchester City, who are bankrolled by former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but did not say if the club would be the final destination for the player who was deemed surplus to requirements by Barcelona's new coach Pep Guardiola following a dip in form last season.
Negotiations over Ronaldinho's transfer were held over the weekend, he added.
City have persistently refused to give up on buying Ronaldinho and emailed Barcelona their offer Sunday night according to Monday's Daily Mail.
City are also prepared to pay the 28-year-old 100,000 pounds more a week than Italian giants AC Milan have offered.