Rivaldo set for Old Trafford switch

[gb1520]

:evil:
It is rumored that Rivaldo is set to begin talks with Manchester United. It is no secret that Rivaldo wants a move to England during the summer, and with the recent talks about lack of ambition at the club. A new face like Rivaldo would certainly fix that.

[mirkwood]

Rivaldo-Beckham swap held up by leak
By Ian McGarry

An ambitious plan to swap David Beckham for Barcelona forward Rivaldo has been put on hold after news of the proposal was revealed in Spain.

Rivaldo: Leak may delay swap
(CliveBrunskill/Allsport)
A meeting between Manchester United and the Spanish club to discuss a possible trade was to take place on Thursday, prior to Barcelona's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool.

But, in an amazing indiscretion on Spanish television on Sunday night, the agent for Rivaldo's Barcelona team-mate Josep Guardiola spoke about the planned discussions and disrupted what are bound to be sensitive negotiations - making the meeting impossible and stalling any deal.

Agent Josep Maria Orobitg was defending Guardiola's decision to leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season and said: 'Do you think that Rivaldo is going to continue at Barcelona?

'I'm saying that because next Thursday there will be a meeting at which a very important English club is going to propose the signing of Rivaldo to representatives of Barcelona.'

As revealed last month, Barcelona president Joan Gaspart confirmed that he has received an offer of £22million for the Brazil international from United, a sum which matches their valuation.

With the asking price widely known, discussion about the fee is unnecessary. But sources in Barcelona claimed last night that the Catalan club have requested a meeting to suggest a swap deal instead - with Beckham top of their wanted list. Barcelona vice-president Joan Castells hinted heavily that they would prefer to enter into a swap deal for Rivaldo, rather than just cash.

Castells said: 'In modern football it is easier to recruit great players by exchange than cash.' Rivaldo, who will be 29 on Thursday, signed a new deal with Barcelona last summer but has a £60million buy-out clause in his contract.

The club are resigned to his departure and plan a radical shake-up of their under-achieving squad at the end of the season.

The biggest stumbling block would be the former World Player of the Year's wage demands, which would be the equivalent of around £100,000 a week.


Meanwhile, Rivaldo has said he knows nothing about any negotiations to an 'important' English club.
'I know nothing about meetings between clubs and I don't want to know anything about them,' he said on his web site on Monday.

'If it is down to me I will honour my contract. How many times do I have to say that?...It all depends on the fans, the president and the directors. If they want me to, I will continue.