Reports coming out of London suggest that Chelsea are looking to rejuvenate themselves by swooping for Barcelona's Ronaldinho in the summer.
It is common knowledge that banks will have to be broken, and transfer records smashed, for a club to come close to snatching Ronaldinho from Barcelona.
However, the Mirror suggests that it is exactly what Chelsea are looking to do, as owner Roman Abramovich looks for a more imaginative and dynamic team.
While Jose Mourinho's future has been secured through recent comments, the Portuguese is still being linked with a move away. Abramovich is also said to be contemplating saying "Adios," particularly if Mourinho is unable to deliver at least one out of the Premiership and the Champions League trophies.
The reports suggest that Chelsea's rebuilding will start with an offer in excess of £50 million for the Barcelona ace, who allegedly believes Barca are not backing him whole-heartedly anymore.
"Ronaldinho doesn't feel he is properly backed at Barcelona any more," a source has been quoted as claiming. "He knows that Barca's special advisor Johan Cruyff doesn't like him, and everybody knows that when Cruyff talks, the president Joan Laporta and his board listen."
The Brazilian, meantime, simply could be looking for a fresh challenge after four successful years at the Nou Camp.
AC Milan have also expressed interest in him in the recent past, but failed to get any leverage from either the player or from his club.
The official version of the situation, though, still is that Ronaldinho is close to extending his current contract - which runs to 2010 - by another four years.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=213529
Poll