English non-league team Basingstoke Town have mounted an audacious bid to sign Brazilian superstar and former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho.

The 34-year-old playmaker, who previously starred for Barcelona and AC Milan, is currently a free agent after leaving Atletico Mineiro.

Representatives from Basingstoke, who play in the sixth tier of English football, have contacted Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Ronaldo De Assis, to offer him a contract.

"Discussions have been had, and there is an offer on the table," Basingstoke's marketing director Simon Hood told local newspaper, the Basingstoke Gazette.

"Now it is up to Ronaldinho to decide whether he wants to take us up on it. He is on a free transfer and if he wants to get into English football, I cannot think of a better way to do that than by signing for Basingstoke Town."

Ronaldinho has scored 33 goals in 97 appearances for Brazil, with whom he won the World Cup in 2002, and was elected FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. He also won the Ballon d'Or in 2005.