6.18.03 Soccernet.com

Laporta Wants Ronaldinho For Barça

Having missed out on David Beckham, Barcelona president Joan Laporta today pinpointed Ronaldinho as his next major summer target.

The newly-elected Laporta is under pressure to sign a big-name player with pulling power and commercial value after his election campaign was based around signing England captain David Beckham from Manchester United.

Beckham has subsequently decided to move to Real Madrid instead and, ironically, Laporta says he will now move for United target Ronaldinho, who looks set to leave Paris St Germain.

'It is no secret that Ronaldinho is one of the players we are looking at. He has always been on our list as have other top players. A deal is very close with Ronaldinho,' said Barcelona press secretary Juan Jose Castillo.

Laporta, perhaps embarrassed by his failure to land Beckham, has vowed to stay silent until Friday.