Premier League - City remain hopeful over Ronnie

Eurosport - Thu, 03 Jul 12:58:00 2008

Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook remains "optimistic" the club can attract Ronaldinho to Eastlands.

FOOTBALL Barcelona - Ronaldinho - 0

The Brazilian playmaker is looking for a new direction after being off-loaded by Barcelona.

City are in dialogue with the player's representatives and anxious to bring him in alongside new club record signing Jo.

Cook said: "We are in the hunt and have been talking to them on (a) regular basis.

"We will continue to do so until we feel it is not right to bring the player to the club or he decides not to come. We know it is a competitive market place.

"There are some complexities (to a possible deal) that you don't normally associate with signing a player.

"Although there is long way to go, we are optimistic. Any great player is welcome here as this is a growth club.

"We are on a journey and are not going to stop until we create a new era."

Ronaldinho has been linked with a move to Chelsea while questions have also been raised about his form and fitness.

But manager Mark Hughes is adamant they can give the 2002 World Cup winner the platform he needs to get back to his best.

"Perhaps in the last 18 months he has not reached his potential," Hughes said.

"We are offering him an opportunity that will stimulate him and enable him to get back to the level he was at before.

"I think it could be an interesting idea for him. Maybe what we are doing here would attract him more than going to an established Champions League club.

"The decision will be his, of course, as I am sure he will have many offers. Whether he can see our vision remains to be seen."

Jo, capped once by Brazil, has agreed a four-year contract and will join the rest of the squad when they leave for their training camp in Germany on Thursday.

During his spell with CSKA, the 21-year-old won the Russian league and cup double in 2006 and boasts Champions League pedigree having made numerous appearances in the competition for the Moscow club.

He said: "I decided to come to Manchester City because it is one of the clubs who showed more interest in me, although I had other offers as well.

"After I spoke to the manager (Hughes) I was very pleased.

"I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment. We can go places, that is our objective. I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason."

Meanwhile, Hughes is close to agreeing new deals for captain Richard Dunne and goalkeeper Joe Hart.

On Dunne, he said: "It is as good as done. He is a really important player for us. It was one of my priorities when I became manager to keep him.

"Joe is another one we want to stay. We hope to resolve his situation. Those negotiations are ongoing but I think there is a will on both sides," he added regarding Hart.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. u buy a player for who he is not for what he was, 2 to 3 years ago, any club would have wanted him, now there are better players who cost alot less, thats the facts. so why would a top flight club want him, maybe for his fame, that is the only reason i can think of why milan or chelsea would desire him.

    he should move to man city, work at making himself better n the club. it's exactly the sort of club which would suit him.

    From imadhurata, on Thu 3 Jul 6:47PM

  2. Ronnie, pls come to Arsenal.

    From Luxy, on Thu 3 Jul 2:03PM

  3. It could be the right move for him but i dont see him moving.he is looking for the top 4 but none of them is interested.

    From grippa1310, on Thu 3 Jul 1:02PM

  4. you can bet the negatives are from the other lot dont want us spoiling their run they wont know who to support.

    From keithbasnett, on Thu 3 Jul 12:07PM

  5. Ronaldinho is still dreaming of playing with the best because he needs to hide amongst good players for him to perform. He should go to Man City and become a legend same as Diego did for Napoli which he brought from obscurity to fame. IN Man City he will be worshipped and he takes them to champions league he will be a GOD

    From jamiu d, on Thu 3 Jul 11:43AM

  6. Not in spite but i would prefer to see him move to Milan. I think he would link up better with the players over there than the ones at Chelsea..... who just want to sign every player that can kick a ball! Worse still, they just sign players they don't even need!
    Like signing Bosingwa when you already have Boularouz and Paolo Ferreira???
    I just don't understand Chelsea...... Kenyon and especially Abramovich need to learn that it doesn't work on the basis of spending £100m every season, lumping superstars together that have never played with each other and thinking they should automatically play outstanding football. It just doesn't work like that.
    Let the real experts do their job......... what they're paid to do!

    From Jay, on Thu 3 Jul 11:37AM

  7. Maybe he'll consider City about two seasons before his retirement. He still deserves Champions Leaue football, and last year's runners-up Chelsea are perfect. He's worked with their coach before too. If Ronaldinho is moving, it's Chelsea, especially after teammate Deco went their too.

    Frank Lampard is the fan favourite, but I think Chelsea had better sell him now and use the money rather than let him go free next summer after he's top-scored for the club again. He's kind of made it clear he won't stay unless that new 4-year contract and paycheck becomes a reality.

    From The Undertaker (RIP), on Thu 3 Jul 11:19AM

  8. pls dont dont do this

    From mosesokereafor, on Thu 3 Jul 11:19AM

  9. Ballack moving to WhUFC is much more likely just ask Big 'I can't believe I got knocked out two games early' Phil Scolari :-)

    From Art T, on Thu 3 Jul 10:35AM

  10. it seems ridiculous he would sign, but every once in a while there's enough money involved for something this crazy to happen.

    From master shake, on Thu 3 Jul 10:25AM

  11. Even if he is not in his best form, Ronalsinho is too good and too expensive to City.

    From Meek, on Thu 3 Jul 10:06AM

  12. keep dreaming guys. There's no way he'll go there. He's 27 he can only play at his best for 3 or 4 seasons and i doubt he'll waste one playing in the UEFA cup and not fighting for any big title. Milan will play in the UEFA cup but they have big chances of wining Serie A do i say Milan is his better option. Plus he'll relax a bit playing against weaker teams and fighting for a title at the same time which will help him comming back at his best

    From martin.mitevski26, on Thu 3 Jul 9:58AM

  13. waste ta money

    From ollyobrien@rocketmail.com, on Thu 3 Jul 9:52AM
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