United double their money to net Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is set to complete his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United in the next 24 hours. Sources close to the player yesterday confirmed that the Brazilian World Cup winner will sign for the Premiership champions "as soon as the final details are ironed out''.

Those details centre on the exact transfer fee, as well as the way in which it will be paid to the French club. Having originally tried to secure the 23-year-old's signature for £9m, United have now had to more than double that offer. The new PSG chairman, Francis Graille, finally accepted an £18.25m bid late last week, but only after the terms of the payment were significantly revised.

"PSG were anxious that they would not get all that much money for at least 12 months,'' the source said, "but they will now be given a considerable down-payment, which will be followed by two or three further deposits.'' Rivals Barcelona last night conceded defeat, admitting they were unable to match United's offer.

The conclusion of the protracted negotiations means that the way has now been paved for personal negotiations to begin. Unofficially, those have already been finalised, with the player set to make £60,000 a week. "It looks like the deal is almost done,'' the source added.

The capture of Ronaldinho, who helped knock England out of last summer's World Cup with that infamous 35-yard free-kick, is a major coup for United. The player was coveted by most of Europe's top clubs, but the lure of Premiership football, not to mention a healthy salary, proved too much for the boy from the favelas. "I dream of playing for Man U,'' Ronaldinho told this newspaper in an exclusive interview on 1 June. "Who wouldn't? Man U are an incredible club with a great tradition, and playing for them would be a real honour.''

Asked if he would be nervous plying his trade in such a physically demanding arena, the man seen as the perfect foil for Ruud van Nistelrooy simply smiled: "Just because I am Brazilian doesn't make me weak. If you are good enough skill-wise, you can adapt to any league in the world. That is why I am sure I can be a success.''