BRAZIL'S soccer superstar, Ronaldo, is set to sign a contract with Barcelona that will earn him £25 million.
The 20-year-old striker is ready to agree a 10-year deal that will make him the highest paid footballer in the world, according to newspaper reports in Spain yesterday.
With Manchester United and AC Milan reportedly interested in signing him, Bobby Robson's Barcelona are insisting on a clause in the contract which will deter any potential bidder.
The clause states that Ronaldo, seen as potentially Brazil's greatest player since Pele, can only leave the Nou Camp for an incredible £50 million transfer fee.
"The business is closed," said Barcelona vice president Joan Gaspart, who refused to discuss the terms of the deal.
Ronaldo, who joined Barcelona last year from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for £12.5 million, will see his wages jump £1.6 to £2.5 million a year.
A world cup winner in 1994, even though he didn't play a game, Ronaldo can also expect to collect another £2 million a year in product endorsements.
Ronaldo finished his last season in Holland as top scorer, and is currently joint top in Spain with 13 league goals, though he could not prevent his side being beaten by rivals Real Madrid last weekend.
