Blues warned off Barca ace
27 Aug 2007 - 14:14:49
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- Blues warned off Barca ace
Barcelona have dismissed rumours suggesting that Brazilian ace Ronaldinho is lining up a big-money transfer to Chelsea.
Newspaper reports claimed that talks had begun between the player's agent and Blues owner AS Roman Abramovich, but Barca have responded by stating that Ronaldinho is not for sale at any price.
Barca sporting director Txiki Berguiristain told Catalunya Radio: "We do not want to sell him.
"Ronaldinho is our player and I am totally convinced that he will remain at the club. In this aspect the decision of Barcelona is clear.
"It is normal that any of the big clubs in the world desires Ronaldinho, but he has signed a deal with us."
Ronaldinho still has three years of his current contract to run, while his value will have been further enhanced by him being granted dual Spanish nationality, meaning he is registered as an EU citizen.
Ronaldinho, 27, moved to the Camp Nou in the summer of 2003 from Paris St Germain and has helped the Catalans win back-to-back league titles and the 2006 Champions League, scoring 75 goals in just over 150 appearances.
He has also won more than 70 caps for Brazil, helping the South Americans to World Cup glory in the summer of 2002.