How things have changed for this poor guy since moving from Barcelona...
Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is expected to sign for Bolton in the next 48 hours, his agent has revealed.
Rivaldo's UK representative, Peter Harrison, confirmed the talks.
"Although Rivaldo is a high-profile player and money has been an issue in the negotiations, I think a deal can be done soon," he told BBC Five Live.
Trotters boss Sam Allardyce added in the Bolton Evening News: "We are talking, and while you are talking you always have a good chance."
Allardyce admitted he was keen to secure his signature as soon as possible, providing they can agree terms.
"We've been successful in the past with talks with Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo and we can be successful again," he added.
"It would show there is no-holds-barred in our ambition to make the team better.
"It would show we have no problem dealing with the top end players, world-class players.
Sam Allardyce was the first manager to show a real interest in signing him
Peter Harrison, Rivaldo's agent
"Ultimately there is a point where if you want to get into the top half, you may have to go a bit beyond what you really want to do financially."
Rivaldo has been at a Manchester hotel for negotiations and despite the transfer window being closed, he can still sign for Bolton because he is a free agent.
"He has done a lot of research and he has been well received by the club," added Harrison, who added it is likely Rivaldo will sign a two-year deal.
"Although a number of clubs have been keen, Sam Allardyce was the first manager to show a real interest in signing him."
Harrison also confirmed that Newcastle were not one of the other clubs who had been eager to sign the player.
Rivaldo parted company with Cruzeiro in March having returned to Brazil after terminating his deal with AC Milan.
Allardyce has made a habit of pulling off high-profile signings in recent years - with another World Cup winner in the shape of France's Djorkaeff chief among them.
But Rivaldo would surpass the capture of Djorkaeff and that of Nigerian star Okocha.
The Brazilian has been without a club since leaving Cruzeiro after just 11 games for last season's league and cup double winners in Brazil.
He quit the club in solidarity with coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, who resigned then withdrew his threat to quit and was then sacked.
Rivaldo had gone back to Brazil having had his contract at AC Milan terminated in November, after a brief spell at the San Siro.
Before that he enjoyed better spells in Spanish football, with Deportivo La Coruna and then Barcelona, who signed him from Depor for £16m in 1997.
In 1999 he was named world and European footballer of the year after helping Barca win the Spanish league.
Three years later he was fined £5,180 for feigning injury during Brazil's World Cup win over Turkey but he went on to win the competition, as one of Brazil's much-heralded "three R's", along with Ronaldo and England's tormentor Ronaldinho.
After the tournament he turned down an offer to join Tottenham - choosing AC Milan instead - but after warming the bench for most of his time in Serie A he now seems set to play in the Premiership after all.
Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is expected to sign for Bolton in the next 48 hours, his agent has revealed.
Rivaldo's UK representative, Peter Harrison, confirmed the talks.
"Although Rivaldo is a high-profile player and money has been an issue in the negotiations, I think a deal can be done soon," he told BBC Five Live.
Trotters boss Sam Allardyce added in the Bolton Evening News: "We are talking, and while you are talking you always have a good chance."
Allardyce admitted he was keen to secure his signature as soon as possible, providing they can agree terms.
"We've been successful in the past with talks with Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo and we can be successful again," he added.
"It would show there is no-holds-barred in our ambition to make the team better.
"It would show we have no problem dealing with the top end players, world-class players.
Sam Allardyce was the first manager to show a real interest in signing him
Peter Harrison, Rivaldo's agent
"Ultimately there is a point where if you want to get into the top half, you may have to go a bit beyond what you really want to do financially."
Rivaldo has been at a Manchester hotel for negotiations and despite the transfer window being closed, he can still sign for Bolton because he is a free agent.
"He has done a lot of research and he has been well received by the club," added Harrison, who added it is likely Rivaldo will sign a two-year deal.
"Although a number of clubs have been keen, Sam Allardyce was the first manager to show a real interest in signing him."
Harrison also confirmed that Newcastle were not one of the other clubs who had been eager to sign the player.
Rivaldo parted company with Cruzeiro in March having returned to Brazil after terminating his deal with AC Milan.
Allardyce has made a habit of pulling off high-profile signings in recent years - with another World Cup winner in the shape of France's Djorkaeff chief among them.
But Rivaldo would surpass the capture of Djorkaeff and that of Nigerian star Okocha.
The Brazilian has been without a club since leaving Cruzeiro after just 11 games for last season's league and cup double winners in Brazil.
He quit the club in solidarity with coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, who resigned then withdrew his threat to quit and was then sacked.
Rivaldo had gone back to Brazil having had his contract at AC Milan terminated in November, after a brief spell at the San Siro.
Before that he enjoyed better spells in Spanish football, with Deportivo La Coruna and then Barcelona, who signed him from Depor for £16m in 1997.
In 1999 he was named world and European footballer of the year after helping Barca win the Spanish league.
Three years later he was fined £5,180 for feigning injury during Brazil's World Cup win over Turkey but he went on to win the competition, as one of Brazil's much-heralded "three R's", along with Ronaldo and England's tormentor Ronaldinho.
After the tournament he turned down an offer to join Tottenham - choosing AC Milan instead - but after warming the bench for most of his time in Serie A he now seems set to play in the Premiership after all.
