SOCCER:Jose Mourinho has declared his dressingroom closed to new signings this summer as Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, tightens up on lavish player expenditure. But when there is the possibility, however slight, of bringing Ronaldinho to the club, exceptions have to be made.
Abramovich met the Barcelona superstar's brother and agent Roberto de Assis Moreira over the weekend, evaluating whether the most audacious piece of transfer business since his Stamford Bridge takeover might be possible. On Thursday, when the Champions League draw is held in Monaco, 24 hours before the close of the summer transfer window, the Russian intends to find out for sure.
Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, will share the same room and enjoy the same hospitality as Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, and the subject of Ronaldinho will be on the agenda.
Laporta has insisted that the Brazilian, who was voted the world player of the year in 2004 and 2005, is "not for sale" and Barcelona's director of sport, Txiki Beguiristain, reinforced the stance yesterday. "We do not want to sell Ronaldinho," he said. "He is our player and I am totally convinced that he will remain at the club."
Ronaldinho was granted dual nationality by Spain yesterday. A move that frees up a place for another non-European Union player in Frank Rijkaard's squad, the club said.
When Abramovich targets a player personally he tends to get what he wants - witness his capture of Andriy Shevchenko from Milan - and, having long admired Ronaldinho, he now senses an opportunity.
The Brazilian's contract at Barcelona, which earns him €9 million a year and has three years to run, boasts a buy-out clause of €125 million but this is believed to be no more than a deterrent. Abramovich is aware that Moreira may be using his interest to earn Ronaldinho an even higher salary but that has not discouraged him.
Barcelona are so blessed with strikers that they have told Eidur Gudjohnsen, the former Chelsea player and a target for West Ham, that he must leave to enjoy first-team football. "Eidur knows the situation," said Beguiristain. "We now have six players in front of him."
Rijkaard can call upon Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry, along with the rising stars Giovani dos Santos and Bojan Krkic. Abramovich intends to shorten the list.
The English FA is to investigate the Islamophobic abuse suffered by Mido, Middlesbrough's Egyptian striker, during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at the Riverside Stadium.
Mido, who scored Boro's first goal on Sunday, was the subject of persistent anti-Arab chants from some of the visiting Newcastle supporters congregated who seemed to have made the assumption that anyone born and brought up in Cairo must automatically be a terrorist.
Manuel Fernandes has been presented as a Valencia player after snubbing Everton to complete his move from Benfica. The 21-year-old Portugal midfielder has signed a six-year contract with Valencia.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov has confirmed he is staying at the north London club, ending recent speculation about the Bulgarian's future. "I chose to join Tottenham last season, now I'm staying at the club through my own free will. At least for now," he said.
Celtic have rejected claims they have transfer-listed Thomas Gravesen, Maciej Zurawski and Kenny Miller.
Portsmouth have admitted Premier League rivals Derby are pursuing a bid to sign striker David Nugent - just a few weeks after his €8.5 million arrival at Fratton Park.
Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta was still in a critical condition last night after collapsing and losing consciousness during his side's Primera Liga match against Getafe on Saturday. He remains in intensive care "with assisted ventilation and under sedation after a prolonged cardiac arrest", doctors in Seville said yesterday.
Catania coach Silvio Baldini will be fined by his club after kicking Parma boss Domenico Di Carlo in the backside during Sunday's 2-2 Serie A draw during a touchline row and was sent to the stands by the referee.
