Middlesbrough Bid £10million for Ronaldinho

In a very ambitious, if unrealistic move, Middlesbrough are thought to have offered Barcelona £10million for Brazilian forward Ronaldinho.

If Spanish newspaper reports are to be believed, the Premiership club have offered Ronaldinho a bumper wage package in the hope that they can persuade him to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians such as Juninho and Branco, who have previously lit up the Riverside stadium.

Jose Luis Carazo, columnist for Sport, broke the story and had this to say:

"The only firm offer that Barcelona have received for Ronaldinho has come from Middlesbrough who have bid £10m although the offer to the player in wages is much more lucrative."

Ronaldinho is thought to be frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities this season, with the arrival of youngster Bojan Krkic into the senior squad meaning that Ronaldinho has seen himself consigned to the substitutes bench on a number of occasions.

The situation boiled over this weekend, when a journalist asked Ronaldinho why he had only been on the bench for the game against Espanyol, to which he replied:

"You'll have to ask the coach. I'm working every day in training so I can play from the start of matches."

Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard was quick to respond, saying:

"Everything I do is for the good of the team. When Ronaldinho gets back to his best, it will be good for us."

If Ronaldinho is to leave Barcelona is it much more likely to be for another big European team such as Chelsea or AC Milan, rather than Middlesbrough, but you cannot fault them for at least trying. You never know what might happen...