Unlikely transfers update

Last updated : 11 June 2003 By Martyn Elliott

Porto’s Portugal international midfielder Deco claims to be in the dark about reported interest from Juventus Deportivo La Coruna Chelsea and ourselves, and hopes to stay with the UEFA Cup winners.

"All I know is what is in the papers. I know there are people interested but no one has spoken to me, nor has anyone come to me to make a proposition," he said.

"I don’t know if I will leave because everything depends on Porto. I think it is 50 per cent that I will stay but I do not know what the position is of Porto.

"They may find that it is good for the club to transfer me, but they may find it is good to keep me."

Meanwhile Ronaldinho’s agent and brother claims that the World Cup winner is in no hurry to make a decision about his future, particularly as nobody has agreed a fee with Paris Saint-Germain yet.

"At the end of the Confederations Cup everything will be resolved," he said.

"The fact that Paris Saint-Germain wish to keep him, and important clubs have interest in him, fills us with pride because it is a sign that the work Ronaldinho is doing here in France is gaining recognition.

"Ronaldinho has had a project for his career since he arrived in Europe, and that project was that he stayed with PSG for two years as a transition before arriving in a stronger league than the French one.

"But no value exists that has been stipulated for his transfer. The price of the transfer should be negotiated between the buying club and Paris Saint-Germain."

Manchester United remain favourites to clinch the Brazil international’s signature, but Barcelona and Real Madrid are both reported to have agreed personal terms with his agent.

The chance of either of these players representing Newcastle next season must be pretty remote.