United close in on £12m Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho's emergence as the new face of Nike looks like sealing him a £12million move to Manchester United.

Negotiations have already started to bring the 23-year-old to Old Trafford once the French season finishes at the end of the month.

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to establish a better link between his midfield and attack - and has made the Brazilian his prime target. Just as significantly, Nike are using the Paris Saint-Germain forward's image to sell their new range and would welcome his presence at their flagship club.

The sportswear giants insist they avoid trying to influence transfer policy, but Nike hardly need to point out the mutual benefits of one of their most marketable clients teaming up with their major football partner.

PSG are resigned to losing Ronaldinho and will soon authorise talks between their United counterparts and the player's brother and agent, Roberto Assis.

Negotiations scheduled for earlier this month failed to take place, but it is understood they were merely postponed due to PSG's insistence that, with the French Cup Final against Auxerre approaching, there should be no distractions for their star player.