Ronaldinho rejects Leicester move, eyes China

RIO DE JANEIRO - Ronaldinho has reportedly rejected an offer to join English Premier League leaders Leicester City and could be the next Brazilian to move to China.

Brazilian soccer club Fluminense's newly signed player Ronaldinho Gaucho greets fans during his first training session with the club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in this July 27, 2015 file photo.  [Photo/Agencies]

Brazilian portal Lancenet reported on Wednesday that Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri made the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner a target during the January transfer window.

The East Midlands outfit, who many predicted would be relegated this season, instead signed teenage winger Demarai Gray and 21-year-old Ghana international Daniel Amartey as they chase their first Premier League title.

Ronaldinho, 35, has not played competitively since parting ways with Brazil's Fluminense in September.

The report added that "R10 is close to signing with a Chinese club," without providing further details.

Among former Brazil internationals to join the Chinese Super League in the past two months are Ramires (Jiangsu Suning), Jadson (Tiajin Quanjian), Luis Fabiano (Tiajin Quanjian), Renato August (Beijing Guoan), Ralf (Beijing Guoan) and Gil (Shandong Luneng).