Sven dampens Ronnie talk

City boss to discuss summer spending at a later date

By James Dall   Last updated: 10th April 2008

Ronaldinho Brazil

Ronaldinho: City link played down

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Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has played down talk of a move for Barcelona's Ronaldinho.

Reports have claimed that Ronaldinho's agent and brother Roberto de Assis was at Manchester City's game against Chelsea last weekend.

Both Premier League clubs have been linked with a summer bid for the 28-year-old - whose future at Camp Nou has been the subject of intense speculation over the current campaign as he has struggled for form and fitness.

However, Eriksson has dampened the speculation while requesting that all transfer talk is put on hold until the end of the season.

"I don't think that news has come from our club," he said on Sky Sports News. "I don't know where it is coming from.

Respect

"I know that he has a contract with Barcelona. We have contracted players here. And we want to finish the season in a good way.

"I would prefer to talk about Ronaldinho or whoever it is coming or leaving, at the end of the season.

"I guess if you ask any football manager around the world about Ronaldinho it is the same answer.

"Last season or the season before he was voted No.1 in the world. That says everything.

"But I have no comments about it. Please respect that. When the season is finished we have a couple of months to speak about what is going to happen."

Eriksson went on to reveal positive news on Valeri Bojinov's return from a serious knee injury.

"He looks better and better. He has a long way to go before he is 100 per cent. He will play for the reserves tonight," he said.

"He is pretty desperate to play football again. He has been out for a long time."

Onuoha and Richards

The Swedish tactician also gave updates on Micah Richards (knee) and Nedum Onuoha (shoulder).

"Touch wood, if everything goes as well as we hope he (Richards) might be about to train with us on Monday. Then we will go from there," Eriksson continued.

On Onuoha, he added: "It is a serious injury. They are talking about three months. Hopefully he is ready for the start of pre-season."