Ronaldo De Lima ready to buy Real Valladolid

Former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker Ronaldo Nazario is in advanced talks to buy Real Valladolid for €30m, say reports in Spain.

The deal would see former Brazil international become the newly promoted club’s president, replacing Carlos Suarez – who will remain on the club’s board – in the role.

The news originally broke on Cadena Ser’s El Larguero programme on Monday night, following reports earlier this year that such a move was possible.

Former Valladolid president Jose Moro was Ronaldo’s former partner in a wine business, while Diario AS cite Ronaldo as saying in January: “I would like to buy a team in the second division of Spain or England. I want to do something innovative.”

Since those comments, Valladolid have been promoted the top flight after a five-year absence – drawing their opening game at Girona before a narrow loss to Barca.

The Brazilian had previously owned a stake in American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers before their dissolution in 2016.