Barca fear Chelsea Ronnie bid

Barca are having a fantastic end to the season, with Ronaldinho the heart of their inspired performances, but it is being suggested the Samba star could be lured away from Camp Nou by the riches on offer at Stamford Bridge.

Clubs around Europe are aware Chelsea have a seemingly bottomless pit of money and owner Roman Abramovich has shown in the past that he is prepared to spend big to achieve success.

Ronaldinho is one of the stars of world football at this present time and he could be the missing link which elevates Chelsea to title winners.

It would appear as though Abramovich is aware of the Brazilian's bewitching skills and could be ready to test Barcelona's resolve in the summer.

Barca have refused to dampen the rumour, with vice-president Sandro Rosell saying: "I refuse to answer the question of whether we have received a bid for Ronaldinho.

"I have a degree of fear concerning Chelsea because if it is true that Abramovich is willing to invest further hundreds of millions of pounds in the transfer market then his aim will be to buy one of our best players.

"With Abramovich you know he has the money whereas with, say Real Madrid, you don't know it to the same degree.

"Barcelona remains a 'sick club' because we still owe £164 million but I think we are imposing financial control and that we are on the road to recovery.

"So I hope that it is one thing for someone like Abramovich to move for one of our players and quite another that they accept his offer."

Rosell has a degree of confidence that Barca's current crop of stars are committed to the club.

"I think that the great players are deeply involved in our rebuilding project and want to see it continue," he added to The Sun.

"I mean, look at Arsenal, we know that Arsenal received a £50 million offer for Thierry Henry and they said no.

"That is the kind of decision I would say we would take with Ronaldinho.

"I view it as impossible that he only stays here for one season like, say, Romario did.

"I think that Ronaldinho is deeply attached to the club and the city."

The departure of Ronaldinho would provide Barca with a massive transfer kitty and it is claimed the Catalan giants are looking into the prospect of luring Ruud van Nistelrooy away from Manchester United.

Dutch marksman van Nistelrooy only recently signed a new deal with The Red Devils, but it has not stopped the speculation surrounding his future.

United have had a disappointing season by their own high standards and it is rumoured Barca are aware the forward could be prised away from Old Trafford.

Spanish media reports are claiming Barca president Joan Laporta held an informal meeting with a representative of van Nistelrooy.

Barca are in the market for a new forward, with Juventus' David Trezeguet another name in the frame, but it would remain to be seen if a striker of the stature of van Nistelrooy would move to Barca if they opt to sell Ronaldinho.

Camp Nou fans crave major signings, but they are sure to urge their club to hold onto Ronaldinho rather than bring in another new face.