According to The Sun, Newcastle United recently rejected the chance to sign Barcelona legend Ronaldinho; whilst The Express report that Anderlecht have slapped Tottenham Hotspur target Youri Tielemans with a £24million price tag.
Ronaldinho was one of the most exciting players of his generation, famed for his silky skills and netting prowess, and is still going strong at 36 years of age – recently parting company with Brazilian outfit Fluminense.
The attacking midfielder, who bagged 94 goals in 207 appearances for Barcelona and claimed the 2005 Ballon d’Or, is keen on a last hurrah in the Premier League and recently offered his services to Newcastle United, but never heard back from the Tyneside club.
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The Sun claim the Magpies’ lack of interest was due to the 97-cap Brazilian demanding a £6million per year contract and quote Ronaldinho’s UK agent Barry O’Connor as saying; “Asking any club to pay that amount for a 36-year-old no matter what his past pedigree is a big ask. If I am totally realistic any club interested in signing Ronaldinho would probably want to do a deal on a pay as you play basis.
“The big question is whether Ronaldinho would be able to handle the cut and thrust of the pace of the game here in England. He wants a chance big time and sees playing here in England as the ideal way to finish his career.”
Meanwhile, The Express report that Anderlecht have slapped Tottenham Hotspur target Youri Tielemans with a lofty £24million valuation. The Belgium U21 is widely viewed as the most promising talent in the Jupiler League, having twice claimed the division’s Young Player of the Year award and already lifted the title.
Spurs were considering a swoop for the midfielder during the January transfer window but decided upon a summer approach instead. However, Anderlecht are now hoping they can squeeze £24million out of the north London outfit due to rivalled interest from Atletico Madrid.
The decision whether to meet the Belgian outfit’s valuation will reportedly rest on chairman Daniel Levy. He rates Tielemans at closer to £15million.