"We are nowhere near completing a deal It's a tenuous stage and I don't want to give too much away, but Barcelona gave us clearance to talk to him," Garry Cook told Skysports.com.

Manager Mark Hughes has been appointed in charge succeeding to Swedish Sven Goran Eriksson and owner Shinawatra Thaksin put at his disposal around $100 million to sign new players.

"Ronaldinho wants to show that he is one of the greatest footballers in the world. The Manchester City fans would love to see him kick off the new season with us and I am holding out hope on that happening," added Cook.

The 28-year old forward had a poor season at Barcelona and lost his place in the starting eleven. New manager Josep Guardiola is willing to offload him as he is building up a new team.

"Ronaldinho wants the new challenge, the chance to play his best football again, to return to the days when he was really, really famous. The magic is still in his boots. Let us hope we can bring him," added Cook.