Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale has confirmed that he was offered Barcelona striker Rivaldo but turned down the Brazilian because he did not think he would be suited to English football.

“I got a telephone call from an agent acting on behalf of Barcelona who wanted to know if we would be interested in signing Rivaldo, but we said that we didn’t want him,” Ridsdale revealed to the Yorkshire Post newspaper.

“The situation regarding his wages was an issue, but you also have to consider whether or not he would be suited to the team and English football.”

Rivaldo is now in talks with Milan, one of the few clubs to have expressed ann interest in signing him.