Cash-strapped Lazio are have set their sights on signing Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo and they will use Barcelona’s interest in Gaizka Mendieta to help broker a deal.

Mendieta is no longer wanted at Stadio Olimpico and Lazio are understood to be negotiating his return to Spain with Barcelona while simultaneously attempting to open talks with Rivaldo.

“They want Mendieta and we want Rivaldo,’ Lazio president Sergio Cragnotti confirmed. “What we are waiting for is to hear what the players think about this transfer.

“We are in contact with Barcelona virtually every day,” he added.

“Barcelona are talking to Rivaldo to see if he would accept a move, and then we will have to talk to him to judge what kind of ambition he has to play for us.”

Despite their financial problems, Lazio have already completed the signings of Juan Pablo Sorin and Massimo Oddo.

“I think we are well covered on the wings,” stated coach Roberto Mancini.

“We have, for now, Sorin and Mendieta. “But we will see what happens in the next few days.”