Leicester transfer news: Claudio Ranieri 'failed' in audacious bid to sign former Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho is currently a free agent after leaving Fluminense at the end of 2015

Former Brazil international Ronaldinho was believed to have been wanted by Leicester (Getty Images)

Leicester made an approach to Brazil legend Ronaldinho in an effort to sign the free agent during the January transfer window, but failed to lure the 35-year-old to the Premier League.

The former Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder is currently without a club after leaving Brazilian side Fluminense at the end of 2015, and he continues to attract offers from a number of clubs across the globe.

One of those is believed to have been Premier League leaders Leicester, with Claudio Ranieri’s side reported by Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo to have approached Ronaldinho over a move to the King Power Stadium.

With Ronaldinho out of contract, the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner could yet agree a deal with a club outside of the transfer window, but it’s added that Ronaldinho was not interested in joining Leicester and could instead join the wealth of big-name players heading to China.

Ronaldinho would have brought significant experience to a Leicester squad lacking in the knowledge of how to win a league title, given that last season the bulk of the squad were locked in a relegation survival campaign under former manager Nigel Pearson.

Had Ranieri been able to talk Ronaldinho into a move, he would have added a global superstar who has no fewer than three league titles to his name, having won La Liga twice with Barcelona and the Serie A with Milan in 2010/11.