Basingstoke want to sign Ronaldinho

The Conference South side say they are in contact with Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto De Assis.

The 34-year-old former Barcelona and AC Milan forward is a free agent after leaving Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.

"We've put an offer to his brother, who is his agent, and look forward hearing back from him," Basingstoke marketing director Simon Hood told BBC South.

Ronaldinho won 97 caps for his country,winning the World Cup in 2002, as well as the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2005.

Basingstoke play in the sixth tier of English football and face a fight to sign the former PSG forward, with the Chennai Titans in India also bidding to sign the player.

However, with Non-League Day taking place at the weekend, Hood says his signing would be a huge boost for the game at that level.

"We took a look at the transfer list to see which players were available," added Hood.

"We were shocked to see that Ronaldinho was a free agent and thought what better way for him to get back into football than to play for Basingstoke Town.

"We are third in the table and it would be great for not only Basingstoke but non-league football."

Arsenal considering deal to sign 38-year-old defender Mario Yepes

The Gunners are in need of defensive reinforcements after failing to sign a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen during the transfer window, and Arsene Wenger has now turned his attention to Yepes.

According to reports, Wenger is said to be a long-term fan of the experienced centre back and could offer him a short-term contract to provide cover for Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker and youngster Calum Chambers.

Yepes is a free agent after leaving Italian side Atalanta at the end of last season, and his agent told reporters last month that he is in England looking to sign for a Premier League team.

A 6’1″ centre back, Yepes has made almost 600 professional appearances to date.