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Steve Kean backs Blackburn bid for Ronaldinho

Carl Markham,Pa
Tuesday 04 January 2011 11:37 GMT
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Blackburn manager Steve Kean insists the club's ambitious bid for Brazil international Ronaldinho is a statement of intent from the new owners.

Anuradha Desai, chairman of Venky's - who took over at Ewood Park in November - today confirmed Rovers had made a £6.2million bid for the AC Milan forward.

And although it may seem fanciful that the former Barcelona playmaker would move to Lancashire Kean believes it sends out the right message to other would-be targets.

"I know there has been contact made by the owners to representatives of Ronaldinho but I don't know how far down the line it is and whether it will actually happen," he said.

"If any Premier League manager was asked if they wanted to sign someone who has been World Player of the Year twice they would be interested.

"That is something that puts us on the map in terms of trying to bring players of that stature to the club.

"Everyone should look as it as a positive because if we can attract players - maybe not that individual if it doesn't happen - but players of that stature I think it has been a long time since we have been able to do that."

Rovers are believed to have offered the 30-year-old Ronaldinho a three-year £20million-plus deal.

"He is keen to play in the EPL (English Premier League) and I think that goes in our favour," Desai told BBC Radio Lancashire.

She stressed paying the Brazilian's wages would not be a problem.

"To be precise [it is] 7.6million euros (£6.5million) for the first year and about 8.5million euros (£7.2million) for the second and third years."

She also said the club had made attempts to sign former England captain David Beckham on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy, adding that the club were "open whenever he is ready to come".

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