Ricardo Oliveira laughs off Barcelona link

Santos striker Ricardo Oliveira has laughed off reports linking him with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona. The 35 year old has scored 34 goals in 2014 and has earned a recall to the Brazilian national side, scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela earlier this month. Surprise reports circulated on Friday that […]
by
sambafoot_admin
2015-10-25 23:44:00

Santos striker Ricardo Oliveira has laughed off reports linking him with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona. The 35 year old has scored 34 goals in 2014 and has earned a recall to the Brazilian national side, scoring in a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela earlier this month. Surprise reports circulated on Friday that his form had piqued the interest of Luis Enrique.

Mundo Deportivo reported that Enrique was looking for an experienced number 9 to provide back up for Barca’s star studded forward line. However, Oliveira dismissed the reports in an interview with ESPN Brazil, “The Santos fans, my teammates, the staff of the board know it’s not true. I laughed, but I want to make it clear that there was no contact or anything.”

Santos are in the chase for Copa Libertadores qualification, sitting 4th in the league and leading São Paulo 3-1 after the first leg of the Copa do Brasil semi-final. Oliveira’s agent is Ronaldinho’s brother Roberto Assis, and Mundo Deportivo reported that Roberto offered Oliveira to the board of Barcelona.

Oliveira was critical of the story’s source, insisting, “First, it is a source that I am completely unaware of. You cannot talk on behalf of someone with whom you work. But I also understand that football generates many opportunities and some people try to take advantage of this in a clumsy way, let’s say.”

Oliveira has La Liga experience, having taken in spells with Valencia, Real Betis and Real Zaragoza earlier in his career.