SS Lazio refuse to give up on Rivaldo

SS Lazio refuse to give up on Rivaldo after FC Barcelona said again that the Brazilian star is not for sale.

Barca decided earlier this month that their top scorer was not going to be sold and concentrated on off loading other members of the squad as they embarked on hectic transfer activity.

But Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti has admitted today that Rivaldo is "our main objective - but it is a question of price."

Cragnotti has had detailed transfer discussions in the past with Barcelona over Rivaldo and came close to sign the Brazilian early last year.

Lazio will pay £32 million for Rivaldo but Barcelona insist he is not for sale.

Rivaldo and Antonio Carlos have refused to play in the Copa America this year encouraging Lazio to keep tracking the player.

"I haven't had a holiday for three or four years," Rivaldo said.

"Another year without holidays and I could injury myself and miss more important games like the ones against Paraguay and Argentina," which are 2002 World Cup qualifiers for Brazil.

Antonio Carlos, Cafu and Roberto Carlos will all miss the Copa despite new Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari asking for them especially to forget about holidays and play in the tournament which is close being completely downgraded as most stars choose to avoid host country Colombia.