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...

Ronaldinho's Agent Rules Out January Move to Chelsea

Ronaldinho's agent (and brother) Roberto de Assis has rejected recent reports that the Brazilian could be on his way to Chelsea in the January transfer window.

He is quoted as saying:

"It is completely out of the question that Ronaldinho will go in the middle of the season.

"There is no reason to think Ronaldinho's future is away from Barcelona.

"My brother has a contract with Barcelona until 2010 and he is interested in seeing it out and, if possible, extending it."

The Barcelona faithful are growing increasingly frustrated with Ronaldinho's performances so far this season and there had been suggestions that the Catalan side would look to offload him before his market value started to decrease.

Chelsea are thought to be willing to offer £50million to secure the services of Ronaldinho and it will be interesting to see whether Barcelona would reject such a figure come the end of this season, should he continue in his current poor vein of form.

Barcelona Fans Start to Turn on Ronaldinho

Barcelona fans started to jeer Ronaldinho after the Brazilian produced another poor performance during their 2-0 victory over Almeria on Sunday.

Whistles were heard throughout the stadium whenever he carelessly lost possession, which was an all too regular occurrence in the seventy-five minutes he played.

He was whistled off the pitch when he was finally substituted, replaced by Lionel Messi, who has taken over as the crowd favourite at the Nou Camp. It was the sixth time this season that Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has taken Ronaldinho off before the end of a game.

Ronaldinho to Chelsea or Milan; but not in January

Barcelona appear to be seriously considering the future of Ronaldinho after the Brazilian's lackluster start to their current league campaign.

They do not wish to break-up the side mid-way through the season in the January transfer window, but it seems they could be willing to sell Ronaldinho come the end of the season. With Chelsea and AC Milan ready to offer ten of millions for the player, Barcelona may decide that it is best to sell him now before his market value deteriorates.

The only real issue is whether they can live without the money that Ronaldinho brings to the club through merchandise and sponsorship deals. Although they feel he is unlikely to return to the form of two years ago, the financial incentive for keeping him may be enough to see him stay at the Nou Camp for another few years.

Ballon D'Or Shortlist Announced by France Football

France Football have released a list of the fifty players in contention for the Ballon D'Or, otherwise known as the European Footballer of the year.

They seem to have relaxed the entry rules over previous years, as now players who do not ply their trade in Europe are also included in the list.

There are ten Latin American players included:

Daniel Alves (Sevilla, Brazil), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Diego (Werder Breman, Brazil), Kaka (Milan, Brazil), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), Guillermo Ochoa (America, Mexico), Juan Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina), Robinho (Real Madrid, Brazil), Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United, Argentina).

Dunga and McClaren Face Similar Selection Worries Ahead of Crucial Games

England manager Steve McClaren goes into tonight's qualifier against Russia considering whether to shuffle his team around to accommodate both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in his starting lineup, despite the excellent results achieved without Lampard in the side.

Brazil coach Dunga faces a similar problem, having already switched around the Copa America winning side, bringing Ronaldinho and Kaka into the starting eleven to less than great effect in the draw against Colombia.

Despite failing to produce the scintillating football for which the Brazilians are renowned, Dunga's side won the Copa America without either of their two star attacking midfielders in the squad, both of them deciding to rest rather than play in the tournament. The lack of these two seemed to liberate Robinho, who took on the extra responsibility and performed excellently throughout the competition. The rest of the side galvanised around the young Real Madrid player and their victory was very much a team effort.

Fast forward to Sunday's game against Colombia and Brazil looked anything but a cohesive team unit. Ronaldinho and Kaka drifted around the pitch, rarely getting involved in the final third and Robinho seemed to revert back into his shell, hardly looking likely to trouble the Colombian defence at any point during the match. Despite the inept performance, Dunga looks likely to stick with the same eleven at home to Ecuador tonight.

It would be a very brave decision to drop one of them and if so, which one would go?

In the England team, Steve McClaren had the fortune of Frank Lampard being unavailable for a couple of games, making the decision for him. In those games, Gareth Barry has proved to be a perfect foil for Gerrard in central midfield and the results achieved with that partnership at the heart of the England team have negated any need to bring Lampard back into the team.

As strange as it sounds, Dunga may be hoping for a similar slice of misfortune for one of his two attacking midfielders, just so he can try something different with the team. With his side returning to the Maracana for the first time in seven years tonight, expectation is high, with the fans likely to get on the players' backs if they do not make a good start to the match.

If Brazil fail to win, the writing could be on the wall for Dunga. One cannot help but feel that his reluctance to breakup the Ronaldinho and Kaka partnership may have contributed heavily to his downfall.

On the other hand, Steve McClaren will be grateful for the opportunity he received to change his team, as the results gained without Gerrard and Lampard together in midfield have probably saved him his job.

Shortlist Announced for FIFA World Player of the Year

After Kaka scooped up the FIFPro award last week, he is now among the favourites to capture the FIFA World Player of the Year.

There were seven Latin American players nominated, listed below:

Juninho (Lyon, Brazil), Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona, Mexico), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), Juan Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina), Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United, Argentina).

Voting now begins, with the winner to be announced on the 17th December this year.

Kaka wins FIFPro World Player of The Year Award

AC Milan's attacking midfielder Kaka has won this year's FIFPro World Player of The Year award, succeeding fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho.

He had these words to say upon receiving the accolade:

"I am humbled to receive such an honour. To follow my good friend and such a great player as Ronaldinho makes this a very special award."

The FIFPro World Eleven for the year was also announced at the ceremony, with Barcelona's Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi the other Latin American players included in the side.

Two Brazilians on their way to London?

Kerlon's return to prominence seems to have once again made the teenager a hot property across world football. The Daily Mirror reports that West Ham are hoping to seal a £5million deal for the Brazilian, but will face competition from Torino, Real Betis and Espanyol for his signature.

Considering it's the Daily Mirror, this should probably be taken with a pinch of salt, especially as it is unlikely he would be able to obtain a work permit to play in England at this point of time. I would think a move to a Spanish or Portuguese club is a lot more likely for the talented youngster.

The second Brazilian possibly on his way to London is Ronaldinho, with rumors of a move to Chelsea refusing to go away, especially with his exclusion from the Barcelona side against Sevilla last weekend. The Sun reports that Ronaldinho will be able to buy his way out of his contract at the end of the season, allowing him to move for free to another club.

It would have to be questioned whether doing so is really worth £14million of Ronaldinho's own money, but if he does buy out his contract there will plenty of clubs throwing big money wages at him in an attempt to seal his signature, so it could work out. Chelsea and AC Milan are apparently heading the queue if this was to happen.

Dos Santos to be Unleashed?

Whilst the British press have focused on his unlikely looking transfer to Chelsea, the real Ronaldinho news story this week appears to have been glossed over completely in this country.

Yesterday, Ronaldinho was granted dual-citizenship by the Spanish authorities, which essentially means that he is no longer classed as a non-EU player. Each team in Spain are only allowed to register three non-EU players to take part in a matchday squad. The fact that Barcelona had already reached this limit was holding back the introduction of their latest teen prodigy into the squad.

With Ronaldinho now a dual-citizen, the path has been cleared for Barcelona to register teenage Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos, whether or not his own dual-citizenship application is successful.

Anyone who watched the recent Under 20 World Cup will know what a prodigious talent Dos Santos possesses. A small but deceptively strong player, his inch perfect ball control, great awareness of those around him and ability to strike the ball with both power and accuracy with his left foot, certainly make Dos Santos a menace for any opposition defence to deal with. In a way, words fail to do him justice, so this video may help paint a clearer picture of his talents.



Although Barcelona already have exceptional options in attack, the inclusion of Dos Santos into their matchday squads may just give them that little bit of a suprise factor as Lionel Messi did when he first broke into the first team picture a couple of years ago. After a disappointing 0-0 draw against Racing Santander in their opening Spanish league game, it certainly looks like they need a bit of spark, and Dos Santos might just be the man to give it to them.

Monday Transfer Gossip

Chelsea are being linked with a sensational move for Ronaldinho. The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea officials have met with Ronaldinho's brother and advisor Robert de Assis Moreira twice over the bank holiday weekend to try and sell Chelsea football club to the Brazilian. It seems Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is more than happy to pay the £85million buyout clause in order to capture the former World Player of the Year.

Sky Sports also report that Boca Junior's loan move to Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta has turned into a permanent deal after Liverpool decided the player was surplus to requirements at Anfield.

Finally, it seems that Adriano could be on his way out of Inter before the transfer window shuts this week. The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) reports that Parma are interested in taking the Brazilian on loan, with a number of English clubs, along with Real Madrid thought to be offering around 30million Euros for a permanant transfer.

Monday Transfer Gossip

First off, Barcelona and AC Milan could be involved in the biggest swap deal the sport has ever seen. Marca (Spanish link) report that Club President's Joan Laporta (Barca) and Silvio Berlusconi (AC) have been in talks regarding a possible trade of Ronaldinho for Kaka. It is thought that Berlusconi is the aggressor, but that Laporta is loathe to part with Ronaldinho, due to his cult status with the Barcelona fans.

The News of the World is linking Tottenham Hotspur with a £10.5million move for Juan Riquelme. Considering his previous rejections of other European sides it seems unlikely he would move to Spurs, but they now seem to be battling it out with Atletico Madrid for his signature.

Sunderland want to bring back Julio Arca to the Stadium of Light. The Daily Mail reports that they have made a £5million offer for the Middlesbrough full back.

Finally, The Mail also reports that Derby are set to complete a £2million move for Southampton's Colombian midfielder Jhon Viafara.

Friday Transfer Gossip

AC Milan have had a 60million Euro bid for Ronaldinho turned down by Barcelona according to the Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link).

They are also considering a move for Thiago Motta if they cannot lure Emerson from Real Madrid.

Rafa Benitez has stated his firm belief that Gabriel Heinze will become a Liverpool player before the close of the transfer deadline. Sky Sports report that Benitez is so confident of a move that he has not identified a second choice left back in case the move doesn't materialise.

Brazilian defender Rodrigo Defendi has left Tottenham Hotspur after three years with the club. Sky Sports report that Defendi - who never made an appearance for the North London side - has joined Italian Serie B side US Avelino.

Villarreal goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa is on the verge of joining Recreativo. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Argentine keeper will join Recreativo on a one year loan deal.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Guillermo Franco is content to stay and fight for his place at Villarreal, despite reports linking him with a move away from El Madrigal.

Weekend Transfer Gossip

First off, The News of the World reports that Newcastle have made an enquiry about Barcelona's Ronaldinho. The Catalan club are thought to have quoted a figure of no less than £58m. Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley is apparently keen to bring a 'marquee' player to St James's Park, so it will be interesting to see how this one develops.

Edmilson is, once again, linked to Newcastle in the same article.

Argentine defender Roberto Ayala and performed a shock u-turn by buying himself out of his recently signed Villarreal contract and signing for Real Zaragoza instead. Sky Sports report that he will sign a three year deal with the club after the Copa America.

Marca (Spanish link) report that officials from Galatasaray are in Madrid to discuss with Real the possible transfer of Julio Baptista to the Turkish club.

Marca (Spanish link) also report that Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is looking to sign Thiago Motta from Barcelona.

Boca Juniors manager Miguel Angel Rosso has spoken in Ole (Spanish link) about his hopes that the club can retain Juan Riquelme for next season. He believes the departure of Daniel Diaz to Getafe may give Boca the necessary finance to purchase the player from Villarreal on a permanant basis.

Finally, the Gazetta Della Sport (Italian link) report that Amantino Mancini's agent Gilmar Veloz is to hold talks with Roma on Monday over an improved deal for the Brazilian. If the talks do not go as planned, it seems that Liverpool are waiting in the wings to offer somewhere in the region of 15million Euros for the winger.