SS Lazio revive Rivaldo ambitions

SS Lazio are still keen to sign Rivaldo from FC Barcelona and revive agreements from last year made with the Brazilian to bring him to Italy.

Rivaldo had agreed with Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti after extensive talks last year and at the end of 1999 that he would sign for Lazio this summer and the Italian club are offering Claudio Lopez to Barca as part of their attempt to sign the Brazilian star.

Lazio are also prepared to pay £30 million in cash for the Barcelona top scorer and his sale plus the sale of Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert could boost Barca's finances to the extent that they can push through the purchase of most of the seven new stars they have reached agreements with in the last two months.

Rivaldo is considering his options and knows of Lazio's strong interest in him but if he does decide to move then he needs to convince the Barcelona board that a deal can be done.

But Barca do not really want to let Rivaldo go. Instead they are offering striker Kluivert to Premiership clubs.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle and Fulham have all been alerted that the Dutch forward is now available as Barcelona prepare to sell one of their top assets to help rebuild the team.

Rivaldo was being considered for a possible sale as Barca look for funds for new players over the next two months as they try to strengthen ahead of a Champions League campaign but his brilliant hat-trick that ensured a win over Valencia in the 89th minute and a place in the elite tournament means the Brazilian will not now be sold.

Of the current Barca first team only Rivaldo and Kluivert will raise big money and the Dutch striker had agreed a new contract with the Catalan club after a move three years ago from AC Milan.

That deal could now be scrapped after Kluivert had a serious offer to move to Chelsea this summer.

The striker came close to joining Manchester United before finally moving to Barca and if United signed the 26 year old then they could off load Dwight Yorke.

Sir Alex Ferguson has long-admired Kluivert's front-play but Barca want as much money as possible for Kluivert meaning that the bidding starts at £16 million for the former Ajax star.