London, Sept. 16 : Brazilian forward Ronaldo claimed today that Manchester City were on the brink of offering him a one-year deal to relaunch his career at Eastlands.

The former Real Madrid and AC Milan striker, a free agent since leaving the San Siro at the end of June, said City had offered him a 60,000-pounds-a-week package to move to the Premier League.

Ronaldo, whose career has been ravaged by a series of knee injuries and regular problems with his weight, has spent recent weeks in Rio de Janeiro training with former club Flamengo. The 31-year-old is keen to team up with his compatriot, 32.5 million pound British record signing Robinho, once he proves that he has recovered from the knee injury that ended his Milan career, reports The Telegraph.

Ronaldo said: “I like the project that Manchester City have presented me. They want to make the club one of the best in the world and I feel that I can help. It is the best offer I’ve received and it will be very interesting to play with Robinho. Me and him, together, we can score more than 50 goals.”

The two-time Fifa World Footballer of the Year has been out of competitive action since rupturing ligaments in his left knee in February, and is expected to be out of action until December.

City, now billed as the world’s richest club following Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s arrival at the club earlier this month, are determined to continue to build their global profile and manager Mark Hughes is ready to take Ronaldo now to speed up his rehabilitation by offering him the best treatment available.

The deal is not due to start until January, but with the player unattached, City are prepared to bring it forward once he has proved his fitness. (ANI)