Ronaldinho will be the next star to join the Real Madrid pantheon of 'Galacticos' when he joins them in the summer of 2004, if reports in Spain are to be believed.

Manchester United's summer-long quest to replace David Beckham may have hit a dead-end, says Spain's AS sports newspaper, which says that Real have offered Paris Saint Germain 35 million euros for the player - an offer far higher than United's reported offer of 25 million euros.

And further reports, supposedly close to the club, say that Real have already paid a 12 million euro downpayment for the World Cup winner, who will supposedly replace Luis Figo after next season. Club officials have refused to comment say AS.

But, according to French paper L'Equipe's website, it remains to be seen if the Brazilian, who is widely believed to favour a move to United would welcome spending another year in Paris, where he has had several run-ins with officials of a club which will not be playing European football next season.

Indeed the player's agent agent and brother Roberto Assis is still confident Manchester United can agree a deal with PSG.

'We are very calm, talks are ongoing,' he said. 'The player is not on the streets and he has proved his worth on the pitch so we will wait and see what happens.

'I am certain Manchester United will make another bid. It is important that we let the clubs find a possible solution.'

And Asiss has added a new ingredient into the pot with the disclosure that Chelsea, newly cash rich after their buy-out by a Russian tycoon, are interested in signing his brother.

Chelsea have yet to make an offer, they have spending power now that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has taken over from Ken Bates as owner and the man with control of the purse-strings.

Assis told the Press Association: 'Manchester United are still negotiating with Paris St Germain.

'There is also some interest from Chelsea, although there hasn't been an official offer put to the club yet.

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