Manchester City have launched an audacious bid to sign Ronaldinho, the former world footballer of the year. After five years at Barcelona the Brazilian is looking for a new club and his brother, Roberto de Assis Moreira, who doubles as his agent, was given the VIP treatment as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team lost to Chelsea on Saturday. (The Guardian, 7 April)

Assis was at the City of Manchester stadium with Pini Zahavi, the so-called “super-agent”. Thaksin Shinawatra, City’s owner, is in Thailand, with his corruption trial due to begin on Friday, but his associates spoke at length with Assis. City are apparently willing to pay Ronaldinho in excess of