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RONALDINHO ... can buy up contract
By ANTONY KASTRINAKIS
September 27, 2007
RONALDINHO could join Chelsea for a cut-price £14million next summer.
The world’s best player will be able to use Article 17 of FIFA’s regulations to leave Barcelona by buying up the remaining two years of his contract.
FIFA rules state a player who is 28 and has played for the same club for five years can buy his freedom by paying the rest of his contract.
SunSport revealed on Tuesday the Brazilian’s brother has agreed a provisional deal which could see the forward join Chelsea next summer. AC Milan will also go for Ronaldinho, 28 in March, should he leave Barca.
And the two-time World Player of the Year would be prepared to activate the FIFA rule — the same one Frank Lampard could have used last summer to leave Stamford Bridge on the cheap.
Ronaldinho has become frustrated at the Catalan club, who have held back for two years on a deal to extend his contract to 2014.
His brother Roberto De Assis admitted last night: “Contact with Milan or Chelsea?
“It is well known I have relationships with a lot of people and we talk about several different players.
“A player like my brother can attract the greatest clubs.
“Could he leave Barca? In football everything changes so quickly. He has an idyllic life at Barcelona but I can’t say he will never leave.”
But De Assis insisted Ronaldinho has not fallen out with Barca boss Frank Rijkaard.
The Spanish media have made allegations that the Brazil ace was caught boozing 48 hours before a game.
And local magazines claim Ronaldinho has developed a close relationship with the coach’s daughter — 20-year-old Lindsay — after the pair were spotted together. But De Assis said: “He has a perfect relationship with Frank Rijkaard.
“To him the relationship with the fans is also very important.”
Rijkaard said: “There are a lot of people criticising Ronaldinho and it’s unfair. He doesn’t deserve it.”
Nou Camp bosses maintain they do not want Ronaldinho to go.
A statement last night read: “We consider Ronaldinho a fundamental piece in our current project.
“For that reason we are not planning any other option other than his continuity in our first team.”
Just to add to Barcelona’s frustrations, arch-enemies Real Madrid have indicated they may try to snatch Ronaldinho.
Real technical director Pedja Mijatovic said: “If there is any possibility Ronaldinho will leave we will be there.
“He would have a place in any team.”
If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich does move to try to capture the Samba Boy, it would spark a huge battle for his signature.
However Europe’s giants have a gentlemen’s agreement not to poach players on the cheap by taking advantage of FIFA’s rules.
The Sun
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