Ronaldinho: my dream of joining Manchester United

Exclusive: In his first interview with a British newspaper since the World Cup, Brazil's hot property says Old Trafford is on his wish list and reveals the truth about that goal

Ronaldinho has issued a "come and get me" message to Manchester United. In an exclusive interview with the Independent on Sunday, the Brazilian playmaker spoke of the way the thought of joining the English champions "makes me dream", and of his ambition to play in the Premiership and the Champions' League.

"I admire Manchester United," said Ronaldinho, who played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup final last night in front of Sir Alex Ferguson. "Of course I would like to be at a great club like that - anybody would. The idea of joining Manchester United makes me dream, because they are a big, successful club and play my kind of football. I have a burning desire to be involved with a club that plays in big games all the time."

With the transfer window reopening today, official talks can begin between the clubs, the player, and his brother-cum-agent, Roberto Assis. Needless to say, informal talks have already taken place, and the deal is at an advanced stage. PSG are playing a tough game in public, insisting that they are very reluctant to sell the World Cup winner, but the truth is that the club have grown tired of their star and are ready to offload him.

But at what price? Money may be too tight to mention in football at the moment, but Ronaldinho's signature will require a bid in excess of £15m. Furthermore, there is the vexed issue of image rights. Like David Beckham, the 23-year-old has a global following, and would not hand over his rights to Manchester United without being properly compensated.

Such an investment would go against the wishes of the Manchester United chief executive, Peter Kenyon, who stated last month that the Premiership-winning squad needed "tweaking". Sir Alex, though, clearly feels that the Brazilian, who is best suited to playing just behind the main striker, holds the key to further success in what the Scot refers to as "the big one", namely the Champions' League.

It is the thought of playing in Europe's élite tournament that is driving Ronaldinho. "I look at that competition," he said, "and it makes me desperate to get involved. It's like being a kid by a pool: you just want to jump in." Ronaldinho spoke to his close friend Gilberto Silva on a number of occasions last season, and says that he was fascinated by the Arsenal midfielder's tales from the Premiership and the Champions' League. "He told me how much he was loving his football, and that has made me want the same thing."

Ronaldinho's rise to fame has been incredibly quick. He started last summer's World Cup in Japan and South Korea as a virtual unknown, and emerged as a global star. He is especially remembered by English fans for scoring the winner in Brazil's quarter-final against England. The goal, a free-kick from 35 yards which left David Seaman red-faced, has been the subject of much debate since that day in Shizuoka, but the Brazilian has finally settled the issue. "It was definitely a shot," he said, "although if I'm being totally honest I was aiming for the other side of the net." He added that it was "not a fluke", although "an element of luck was involved".

Good fortune and Sir Alex's smooth talking will help, but money and the promise of trophies will be the key factors if Man-chester United are to secure one of the world's most sought-after players.