Betis Sevilla´s on-loan striker to sao Paulo, Ricardo Oliveira, admits that the interest of Barça in signing him is real and is not just a speculation. But Brazilian Oliveira insisted that FC Barcelona has to make a formal offer to Betis and his owner Juan Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.
Oliveira told the Brazilian media: "I cannot hide the fact that the interest of Barça is not a speculation. The interest of Barcelona exists since the season 2004-2005. If Barca wants to sign me, they have first to negotiate with Betis. If they make an official proposal, I am sure that Betis would listen to it". Ricardo Oliveira could be one of Barca´s targets to replace Henrik Larsson in case the first choice option to sign a new No. 9, Diego Forlán, does not materialize. The other alternatives to Villarreal´s Forlán at present are among others Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Treezeguet, Eidjur Gudjohnson and Hernan Crespo.

The transfer negotiations between Villarreal and FC Barcelona are stuck at the moment and despite Forlán´s claims wanting to join Barca, Villarreal rejected Barcelona´s first offers. The situation of signing Ricardo Oliveira would be a lot easier. His contract with Betis eprires in June 20011 and his official release clause is € 30 Mill. but Betis would listen to any interesting offer because the relation between the player Oliveira and the club Betis Sevilla are not at its best. Oliveira revealed that he does not want to return to Betis in the summer and Betis have already replaced Oliveira by his fellow countryman thiago Tardelli, during his crucial ligament injury last year. Ricardo Oliveira admitted that he would prefer to join Barca or stay in Sao Paula rather then return to Andalucia.


Ricardo Oliveira has agreat goalscoring record even at a young age in the Brasileiro League for his then Clubs Portuguesa and FC Santos. He could be a very good alternative but is not the "Star" signing everyone would expect.