Alex Ferguson has confirmed his interest in Ronaldinho, saying he is "confident" of concluding the Brazilian's transfer, and revealed he also wants to sign Xabi Alonso of Real Sociedad.
The two attacking midfielders would cost £35 million in total, giving further credence to the suggestion that Manchester United intend to cash in on David Beckham.
A move for the young Spaniard is loaded with complications, but Ferguson is entitled to feel increasingly optimistic that Ronaldinho will become the club's first Brazilian player, signing at Old Trafford within the month.
With the transfer window reopening yesterday, United can now begin official negotiations with Paris St-Germain. But, in truth, the two clubs have had confidential talks for over a year and there are only fine details for Old Trafford's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, to finalise.
United had lined up a £9 million bid for Ronaldinho last summer until, in Ferguson's words, "he had a good World Cup, the secret was out and they doubled his value".
After a season of mesmerising football at PSG, yet notable too for his falling-out with the coach Luis Fernandez, Ronaldinho will cost £12 million, and United's hierarchy have made it clear that Ferguson will have to recoup the money somewhere, particularly if he is serious about Alonso and other targets such as Damien Duff, Harry Kewell and Paul Robinson.
Joan Laporta, a candidate in Barcelona's presidential elections on June 15th, has promised Beckham to the Catalans if he is successful. However, the Barcelona coach Raddy Antic has dismissed the idea that a £30 million deal for Beckham is virtually complete.
"So far they are rumours and nothing else," he said. "Football isn't like (the Spanish supermarket chain) El Corte Ingles where you go and sign who you like."
If Beckham were to leave - one high-ranking official at Old Trafford has been telling people it is a "done deal" - Real Madrid are a more attractive proposition. Aware of the commercial incentives Beckham's name brings, Real have been negotiating a sponsorship deal with Toyota and the signing of England's captain is understood to have featured in their sales pitch.
Ferguson began a month's holiday in France yesterday and expects the situation regarding Alonso to be much clearer on his return. Real Madrid also want the 21-year-old, who has been outstanding in La Liga this season.
Ronaldinho's transfer is far closer to completion. PSG can no longer afford to keep the 23-year-old, who will be remembered for the free-kick that put England out of the World Cup.
"I would like to be at a great club like United; anyone would," said Ronaldinho. "They play my sort of football."
Ronaldinho is seen by Ferguson as a deep-lying attacker behind Ruud van Nistelrooy. However, United will also be signing a player with a troublesome reputation.
Ronaldinho fell out with Fernandez after being played as a striker, then a right-wing, rather than as an attacking midfielder, and was dropped after smuggling a girl into his hotel room before a match. He refused to be substituted in a UEFA Cup tie and was banished to train by himself after returning five days late from his Christmas break.
Ferguson will not tolerate that sort of behaviour. However, as with Fabien Barthez, Roy Keane and Eric Cantona, he occasionally allows some leeway if it means keeping an important player happy.
