Newz Forum: SOCCER: Bolton make shock swoop for Rivaldo

Bolton Wanderers are about to sign the Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo, according to a report. The Bolton Evening News claim the 32-year-old is staying in a Manchester hotel while he holds talks with Bolton.

But according to the paper Rivaldo has already made up his mind to move to the Reebok Stadium, and could sign as early as next week.

Rivaldo could join straight away, outside the transfer window, as he is currently a free agent.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has made a habit of pulling of high-profile signings in recent years with another World Cup winner in the shape of France's Youri Djorkaeff chief among them.

But Rivaldo would surpass the capture of Djorkaeff and that of Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha.

This will be a great signing for bolton if they pull it off,i'm not sure how much rivaldo has retained his ability and that but he was a great player a few years ago..

Rivaldo's agents insist the World Cup star has not turned his back on Bolton despite flying home to Brazil on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old has agreed financial terms with club officials and is to consult family members over the move in the next few days.

The delay in concluding the deal had prompted speculation that Sam Allardyce's audacious swoop had failed.

But Rivaldo's English agent insisted he remained "positive" it would go ahead as planned and that he would be a Bolton player "within the next few days".

Harrison said: "Bolton have made him an offer and if he decides to play for Bolton those are the terms he will accept.

This signing is not confirmed yet.

Yes i know he has gone home to think about it,he has agreed personel terms but i guess its just up to him now if he wants to join them.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce admitted on Friday that his club's chances of landing Brazilian World Cup star Rivaldo are fading.

Allardyce hopes to know by Monday whether the 32-year-old has finally decided on a future at the Reebok Stadium.

But he said that news of Rivaldo's return to Brazil to mull over the move with friends and family was discouraging.

Earlier this week the Brazilian's British agent Peter Harrison sounded confident that the deal would be completed.

And he intimated that although Rivaldo might not have told Bolton, he found their financial package acceptable.

Allardyce will not be willing to let the deal drag on for ever amid worries that Rivaldo could be using Bolton to stoke interest among other clubs.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has claimed he has received a fax from Rivaldo stating the Brazilian legend wants to complete a move to the Reebok Stadium.

The Trotters' ambitious plan to land Rivaldo appeared to have been scuppered by Celtic's entry in the race to sign the 32-year-old World Cup winner.

Even Bolton manager Sam Allardyce said the deal was dead and Rivaldo's agent has indicated the player would prefer to join the Scottish champions, who can offer the added incentive of Champions League combat next term.

However, Gartside has now revealed that Rivaldo has been back in contact and that the Samba star has accepted terms with the Premiership outfit, who look like finishing an impressive seventh in the table following their win at Everton.

Well they sound pretty confident that they might get him so who knows?