Ronaldinho: Attracting interest from the Middle East

The 33 year-old, who enjoyed a return to form while playing for Atletico Mineiro last season, has been offered to the Dubai-based club by his management agency.

Al Shabab vice-president Khalid Bu Humaid described the chances of a deal as likely but admitted that talks are still in the preliminary stages.

"Ronaldinho has been offered to us and we are studying the offer," he told Gulf News.

"There's nothing concrete, it's just an offer and we haven't replied yet. We are consulting with the coach and technical committee, who haven't decided.

"Who wouldn't want Ronaldinho? He's a big name and bringing big names to the league adds value. But it's still not finalised. The coach (Marcos Paqueta) is still in Brazil and we are still communicating to see how far we can take this.

"In all fairness, there's probably a 50-50 chance we can get him."

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year was a reinvigorated figure during his spell with Atletico in the Brasileirao, earning the Golden Ball award for best player in the league and a recall to the national team in February.