In August 2007, Chelsea came close to signing Brazil superstar Ronaldinho - if reports are to be believed. The legendary forward was coming close to the end of his stay at Barcelona at the time and Blues owner Roman Abramovich is alleged to have held talks with the player's brother and adviser, Roberto de Assis Moreira, over a move. Abramovich is said to have made Ronaldinho an offer that would have made him the highest-paid player in Europe, and was even thought to have been willing to match the £85 million buy-out clause previously inserted in the contract Ronaldinho signed at Barcelona in 2005, which would have made the South American the world's most expensive player at the time. The stunning transfer never happened however, and when Ron did leave Barca, it was for Milan in 2008. He might have wished he'd signed for Chelsea however because he endured a bitterly disappointing two-season stay in Italy before moving on again for Flamengo.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
