While Barca issued an official statement yesterday insisting all was well with the Brazilian, Diariosport says today that the relationship between the club and Ronie's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, has completely broken down.

Indeed, such is the anger of Assis at the moment over what he feels is a club-led campaign against his brother, that he is considering taking advantage of FIFA's Article 17 law that would see the superstar buy out the final two years of his contract next summer and leave the Nou Camp as a free agent.

Assis sees no prospect of Ronaldinho continuing with Barca next season and has told close friends that the best solution would be if a club came in for him in January, though he knows it will be difficult because the attacker has already played in the Champions League this season.

There is no going back for Assis and it's also been revealed in Brazil's Lance that a contract has already been agreed with Chelsea and only needs Ronaldinho's signature.