Manchester City is getting much closer to realizing the possibility of bringing Ronaldinho to Eastlands, with executive chairman Garry Cook saying FC Barcelona had granted permission for the club to open negotiations with the jaw-dropping Brazil playmaker.

Rhonaldino is not the only Brazilian Manchester City is after since they also expect to sign another Brazilian - CSKA Moscow striker Jo. This week, Jo told Radio 5 Live on Sunday that Ronaldinho had shown interest in leaving Camp Nou for the Premier League.

"It's a tenuous stage and I don't want to give too much away, but Barcelona gave us clearance to talk to him,'' Cook said. "We had some people in Brazil last weekend ... but we have a long, long list of things we need to get done because of the type of player he is - the world's greatest player.

"He has intimated he is interested, otherwise we wouldn't be at the stage we are now. Ronaldinho has an interest in coming to City.''

Cook said Ronaldinho was still looking to prove himself in the Champions League after an unfulfilling season in Spain.

"He wants to show the world he is the greatest player. At the moment, though, we're just ticking off the boxes,'' he said. "I think the Manchester City fans, who are the most important part of this, would like to see Ronaldinho kicking off next season here.''

Grabbing these two Brazilians would obviously be a huge pickup for the team, and would really help the new manager, Mark Hughes, who joined last week from Blackburn.

Owner Thaksin Shinawatra seems to think Ronaldinho may be the key pickup that helps the club win their first major trophy since 1976.

Ronaldinho has two years left on his Camp Nou contract, but is expected to leave Spain after a disappointing season with Barcelona, where he struggled with injuries.

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