Barca win Ronaldinho Race

Barca win Ronaldinho Race

Manchester United have missed out signing of Brazilian World Cup star Ronaldinho, with the 23-year-old set to sign for Barcelona.

The Catalan giants have snapped up the winger for a fee believed to be in the region of £21million, although the fee will vary depending on appearances.

The players' agent Roberto Assis has been in contract negotiations with recently elected Barca president Joan Laporta over the past 24 hours, and the club and player have finally agreed terms.

The signing of Ronaldinho will be a great relief for Laporta, who has been under pressure to sign a big name since being elected president. He has already failed in attempts to sign David Beckham and Fabio Cannavaro, but Ronaldinho's arrival to the Spain should please Barca supporters.

The Catalan giants have snapped up the winger for a fee believed to be in the region of £21million, although the fee will vary depending on appearances.

"We are finally in agreement with Ronaldinho," said a Barcelona club spokesman.

"There will be a medical on Sunday and then the presentation on Monday."

Following the completion of the medical, Ronaldinho will put pen to paper on a lucrative 5-year-contract.

Despite previous announcing that he wanted to sign for United, Ronaldinho has said his move to the Nou Camp is for the best.

“I am delighted with the move to Barcelona,” said Ronaldinho.

“It’s for the best because Spain is so similar to Brazil, and I will feel at home.”

The failure to sign Ronaldinho comes as a great disappointment to United, and again raises the question whether the World's biggest players want to join the Red Devils.

Sir Alex Ferguson must now continue his search for a new name, as United look to conquer Europe, with Blackburn's Damien Duff being the name on many people's lips.

Ferguson would have to be quick in a bid for the Irishman though, as he is currently in an advanced stage of talks with Chelsea.

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