Newcastle have turned down the chance to sign Ronaldo after Inter Milan offered the striker to them for £15m.

Inter approached Newcastle, who are interested in buying Ronaldo's Brazil teammate Rivaldo, within the last month after announcing that he was up for sale.

But the Magpies decided Ronaldo's wage demands, plus his high insurance premium, would place too great a strain on the club's transfer war chest.

Ronaldo, 25, has only just returned to action for club and country after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury that robbed him of nearly three years' football.

He has made just 17 Serie A appearances in the last three seasons and is only just starting to show glimpses of the form that saw him twice named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Newcastle have rejected Ronaldo, despite the close relationship that he formed with Bobby Robson when they were together at PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona.

They remain unconvinced that he has completely jettisoned the injury curse that has haunted him ever since he was taken to hospital on the morning of the 1998 World Cup final after suffering a fit.

Manchester United were also asked if they would like to sign Ronaldo, who joined Inter from Barcelona for a then-world record fee of £18m five years ago.

United were keen on the forward, who is set to line up for Brazil against Costa Rica in their final group game today, when it emerged sportswear giants Nike might be willing to foot part of the bill.

But the Old Trafford club, who were only ever willing to sign him on a year's loan, are unlikely to pursue their initial interest.

Ronaldo has been impressive against Turkey and China in the World Cup thus far, scoring in each game as Brazil have won both matches to progress to the second round.

He will come up against an England side which could include Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer at the quarter-final stage if the two countries progress to the last-eight.

Despite Robson's admiration for Ronaldo, the concern over his fitness has dissuaded Newcastle from trying to bring him to St James' Park. The Magpies are keen on Rivaldo, although his wage demands would be even greater than Ronaldo's

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