Manchester City were close to sealing a deal for the Barcelona playmaker but Luiz Felipe Scolari has thrown a spanner in the works by becoming the new Chelsea manager.

The former Brazil coach wants countryman Ronaldinho to be his first signing and the pair are close after winning the World Cup together in 2002.

But City will not go down without a fight as owner Thaksin Shinawatra reckons big-name signings are vital to his bid to break the top four.

Shinawatras men have already held talks with Ronaldinhos people.

They can offer him a huge £120,000-a-week deal to play for new manager Mark Hughes.

The Eastlands club insist much of the outlay can be recouped in commercial ventures on the back of Rons name and in advanced season-ticket sales.

Ronaldinho, 28, has already told Barcelona he wants to leave and is said to be keen on coming to the Premier League.