Flamengo tracking Ronaldo

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 28 (AFP): Top Brazilian outfit Flamengo are closing in on Inter Milan star Ronaldo following talks between the club and the player's representatives over the past few days in Rio, it emerged here on Friday.

Ronaldo is on record as saying he would love to play for Flamengo before the end of his sparkling career and the Jornal do Brasil daily said behind the scenes talks on a move, possibly with the help of Flamengo's Swiss sponsors ISL - who spy a possible marketing coup.

"It's just a project," said a cautious Flamengo president Edmundo Santos Silva.

Ronaldo is under contract at Inter until 2006 and prising him away from Milan would cost 120 million dollars. But even that would not necessarily deter ISL, who hold broadcasting rights to the next two World Cups and who are selling publicity for the events to big multinationals.

One of Ronaldo's associates, Reinaldo Pitta, boldly declared earlier in the week before jetting off to Switzerland that "nothing is impossible" while recognising that pulling off a transfer for the former world player-of-the-year would be hugely difficult.

In Italy, Rodrigo Paiva, who deals with Ronaldo's relations with the press, was sceptical about the claims in the Brazilian media.

"These stories are inopportune and can only hurt Ronaldo. Anyone wanting to sign him should talk to Inter Milan's president," said Paiva.

Ronaldo has still to return to his best form after two injury-blighted seasons and had major surgery on his right knee last month.

He is hoping to return to action in April.

Ronaldo, whose new wife Milene is expecting their first child in May, has set himself two goals for 2000: to appear in the Olympics with Brazil in Sydney in September and also confirm his status as one of the best players in the world.

Last month he pleaded with Inter fans to be patient as he looks to recover his fitness, saying, "I am not a robot."

He also said his dreadful run of injuries had meant having to "live through hell" in recent months.