Manchester City have formally contacted Barcelona for the services of Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho.

Despite facing competition from European giants AC Milan and Chelsea, Man City are not giving up the chase for the Brazilian.

City have long been linked with Ronaldinho but a lack of Champions League football and a lack of response from the Brazilian seemed to doom Man City’s interest.

Also, it has been reported that Ronaldinho would prefer to work under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea.

But according to Sky Sports News a source close to the proposed transfer has said: “There is still a strong possibility that the deal to take Ronaldinho to Eastlands can still be done.”

New manager Mark Hughes would undoubtedly love to have Ronaldinho at the club and he can offer him the chance to play with fellow countryman Elano should he chose to join him in Manchester.

The mechanics of such a deal are likely to be convoluted and may stretch Manchester City financially. However, if City manage to sign Ronaldinho, it will be one of the greatest transfer coups in their history.