Barcelona's Ronaldinho has excelled as Spanish football's best player in his debut Primera Liga campaign but his departure from the Nou Camp is a possibility if the offer of a world record transfer fee is put on the table.
The Brazilian playmaker provided the inspiration for another victory on Sunday, 4-1 over Espanyol, which has continued the club's resurgence and kept their slim title hopes alive.
Speaking at a business lunch in the Catalan capital, however, vice president Sandro Rosell admitted that the club's biggest asset could be prised away.
"The club and the player have made it very clear that they must continue together," Rosell said.
"We have to fight to keep the player but if someone comes in with the money to pay his transfer clause (100million euros), then it will be a personal decision.
"From a business point of view, perhaps the decision would be different but I believe he must stay."
The Brazilian striker has gone from strength to strength at the Nou Camp and his performances have caught the eye of Europe's other top clubs.
It's a marked contrast from the spell at his previous club, Paris St Germain, where some of the gloss on his outstanding performances was lost due to his strained relationship with coach Luis Fernandez.
Chelsea, backed by the billions of pounds of Russian owner Roman Abramovich, would appear to have the financial might to make an offer while Real Madrid, should they be willing to sell of some of their 'galacticos' like striker Ronaldo or winger Luis Figo, might be able to raise the money to table a bid.
"I don't believe that there is any doubt, he is going to stay," said Rosell, the former head of Nike in South America who was vital in encouraging the star to move to Barcelona.
"Only he knows the performance that he will be able to give, only he knows his possibilities and limits. What is certain is that nobody could have predicted the impact that he has had."
In remarks carried by the Diario Sport website, Rosell added: "He has surprised us all and I believe that without any doubt, he is the best player in the world."
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