DESPERATE FOR UNITED

Last updated : 13 July 2003 By Editor

"I am desperate to become the first Brazilian to play for Manchester United

"All the biggest stars from the past and today -- like Pele, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and even Rivaldo wanted to be the first to play for United.

"But I want to be the first Brazilian ever to be a Red - and I know I am going to be."

"Today, Manchester United are one of the three best clubs in the world." Ronaldinho said. "Their squad is so good that I can more or less compare them to the (world champion) Brazilian volleyball team.

"There are 23 fantastic players at Old Trafford and so I cannot rest for one moment if I want to get into the side.

"Professionally, there could be nothing more demanding in the world than playing at Old Trafford -- even more so than playing at Real Madrid."

Peter Kenyon said: "Things are moving well and we are making useful progress.

"We have made a renewed bid for the player and are hopeful we can bring things to a successful conclusion in the next few days - that is certainly our intention.

"We believe Ronaldinho wants to come to Old Trafford and that has been a motivating factor for us in pursuing him.

"It's now a question of reaching agreement with PSG but we are hopeful that will be done sooner rather than later.

This from The Independent:

Those details centre on the exact transfer fee, as well as the way in which it will be paid to the French club. Having originally tried to secure the 23-year-old's signature for £9m, United have now had to more than double that offer. The new PSG chairman, Francis Graille, finally accepted an £18.25m bid late last week, but only after the terms of the payment were significantly revised.

"PSG were anxious that they would not get all that much money for at least 12 months,'' the source said, "but they will now be given a considerable down-payment, which will be followed by two or three further deposits.'' Rivals Barcelona last night conceded defeat, admitting they were unable to match United's offer.

However, Francis Graille, (PSG's president) is quoted in The Sunday Times as follows:

"I have still not received an official offer from United and I’m very surprised how they are conducting negotiations.

"United did negotiations a long time ago with the player and I can’t understand why they made no official approach at that time to my club. Barcelona and Chelsea have made official offers and Real Madrid did everything correctly. But for a very long period nobody from United contacted PSG. I don’t know if by doing this they are hoping to get a lower price."

Luis Fernandez (former manager): "Without doubt, ronaldinho is the most difficult player I have come across."