LONDON (AP) Ronaldinho has agreed to a £58 million ($117 million) contract with Chelsea should he decide to leave Barcelona, the Sun reported.

The Brazilian playmaker's agent accepted a five-year deal worth £11.6 million per season from the London club, the newspaper said. If Chelsea agree to a fee with Barcelona, the two-time FIFA world player of the year, who has fallen out with manager Frank Rijkaard, could be unveiled at the end of the season.

Chelsea wouldn't have to pay the £85 million it would take to get Ronaldinho out of his current contract, which has three years remaining, though would have to pay a record fee of £70 million, the Sun said.

AC Milan, also interested in the 27-year-old, wouldn't be able to match Chelsea's offer, the newspaper said.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are defending Ronaldinho over media accusations that he has been spending too much time in nightclubs.

The Brazil playmaker has had a lacklustre start to the season, being substituted in three games, and the local media has questioned the legitimacy of a calf strain that is keeping him sidelined this week.

"Everyone can say what they want, but the Barcelona press has surprised me with this, always on this topic," coach Frank Rijkaard said yesterday. "We are all human, him too, and when he feels completely recovered we will see the Ronaldinho we all know."

Club president Joan Laporta agreed that the Brazilian playmaker was not "in his best moment".

"He is suffering because he is injured," Laporta said. "The only therapy is to help him and ensure he does not feel apart. We need to be together with him."

Laporta said he was not concerned about media questioning Ronaldinho's dedication to soccer and allegations that his play has been affected by too many late-night visits to Barcelona's nightclubs.

"I have not spoken with him (about his private life) because it is a question for the dressing room," Laporta said. "The players know how far they can go in their private lives."

Before moving to the Nou Camp, Ronaldinho fell out with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Fernandez, who disapproved of his nocturnal habits.

"We are all adults and everyone has their responsibilities. He can go out if he wants, but it depends how he goes out," Barcelona defender Gianluca Zambrotta said. "If it is to drink and get drunk then it is not OK, but if it is just to have a small drink then there is nothing wrong with that."

Ronaldinho is expected to miss today's game against Zaragoza. He is also doubtful for Saturday's match at Levante, but could likely return for a Champions League match at Stuttgart on October 3.