Leeds turn down Rivaldo offer

The midfield ace has been made available after his club Barcelona made the surprise decision to release the South American from Camp Nou.

Italian Serie A giants Milan have taken the initiative to try and sign the 30-year-old former Deportivo La Coruna player with Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani set to meet Barca officials in Spain on Wednesday.

Despite the likelihood of starting negotiations with Milan, Barca put Rivaldo's name forward to the Elland Road club following their £30 million sale of England defender Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United on Monday.

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale admitted that he received a call from a representative of the Catalan giants with an offer to buy Rivaldo but The Whites supremo felt his style would not be suited for The Premiership.

Ridsdale told the Yorkshire Post: "I got a telephone call from an agent acting on behalf of Barcelona who wanted to know if we would be interested in signing him (Rivaldo), but we said that we didn't want him.

"The situation regarding his wages was an issue, but you also have to consider whether or not he would be suited to the team and English football."

Meanwhile, Rivaldo has revealed that he is determined to continue his career in Europe following his release from Barca.

The midfielder - who is still on holiday in Brazil following his country's fifth World Cup success - is hopeful that he will sign with a new club within the next week.

Rivaldo said: "The only thing that I can say is that I will soon be in another European team so the supporters can enjoy watching me play football.

"Now, I want to be calm and that's why I will be staying in Brazil for now and I'm not saying what has happened or what will happen.

"On the other hand, I want to thank all the supporters all over the world for their kindness."