Palmeiras call off Ronaldinho pursuit

Palmeiras have aborted their bid to sign Ronaldinho after contract talks broke down over the footballer's salary demands, the Brazilian club said.

The Sao Paulo outfit were favourites to secure the 34-year-old, who has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro by mutual consent in July, reported Xinhua.

"Negotiations have definitively ended tonight due to the fact we could not reach a financial agreement," Palmeiras said on its official Twitter page Tuesday.

Ronaldinho had reportedly sought a monthly salary in excess of $90,000, 15 percent of gate receipts and half of income from sponsors signed after his arrival.

The announcement is expected to rekindle interest from other suitors, whose bids were pushed to the background by the advanced stage of talks between Palmeiras and Ronaldinho's representatives.

Other clubs linked to the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year are Santos, New York Red Bulls, Fluminense, Besiktas, Queens Park Rangers and Boca Juniors.

Ronaldinho joined Atletico Mineiro in June 2012 after an unhappy spell with Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo.