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Old April 23, 2004, 07:39 AM
rassel rassel is offline
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Default Rivaldo set for Bolton

Bolton are close to signing Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo on a two-year deal.

Rivaldo's representative in the UK, Peter Harrison, told BBC Five Live he is confident a deal can be completed to bring the player to the Reebok Stadium.

"Although Rivaldo is a high-profile player and money has been an issue in the negotiations, I think a deal can be done soon," he said.

Harrison added that the 32-year-old would sign a two-year deal at the club.

Rivaldo has been at a Manchester hotel for negotiations and despite the transfer window being closed, he can still sign for Bolton because he is a free agent.

"He has done a lot of research and he has been well received by the club.

"Although a number of clubs have been keen, Sam Allardyce was the first manager to show a real interest in signing him," he revealed.

Harrison also confirmed that Newcastle were not one of the other clubs who had been eager to sign the player.

Rivaldo parted company with Cruzeiro in March having returned to Brazil after terminating his deal with AC Milan.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has made a habit of pulling off high-profile signings in recent years - with another World Cup winner in the shape of France's Youri Djorkaeff chief among them.

But Rivaldo would surpass the capture of Djorkaeff and that of Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha.

The Brazilian has been without a club since leaving Cruzeiro after just 11 games for last season's league and cup double winners in Brazil.

Could Rivaldo and Okocha play in the same team? Why not?!

From Andy Walsh
Have your say on 606

He quit the club in solidarity with coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, who resigned then withdrew his threat to quit and was then sacked.

Rivaldo had gone back to Brazil having had his contract at AC Milan terminated in November, after a brief spell at the San Siro.

Before that he enjoyed better spells in Spanish football, with Deportivo La Coruna and then Barcelona, who signed him from Depor for £16m in 1997.

In 1999 he was named world and European footballer of the year after helping Barca win the Spanish league.

Three years later he was fined £5,180 for feigning injury during Brazil's World Cup win over Turkey but he went on to win the competition, as one of Brazil's much-heralded "three R's", along with Ronaldo and England's tormentor Ronaldinho.

After the tournament he turned down an offer to join Tottenham - choosing AC Milan instead - but after warming the bench for most of his time in Serie A he now seems set to play in the Premiership after all.
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