Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed that he turned down the chance to sign Brazil's Rivaldo.

The World Cup winner is now in talks with AC Milan about a move to the Italian Serie A club after being released from Spanish giants Barcelona.

He has also had been linked to Lazio, Real Madrid and Newcastle.

Now Ridsdale has revealed that he was also offered the chance to sign the 30-year-old striker.

"I got a telephone call from an agent acting on behalf of Barcelona who wanted to know if we would be interested in signing Rivaldo, but we said that we didn't want him," Ridsdale told the Yorkshire Post newspaper.

"The situation regarding his wages was an issue, but you also have to consider whether or not he would be suited to the team and English football."

Meanwhile, Leeds opened their pre-season tour on Tuesday with a 5-1 win over Chinese second division side Green Town FC.

Watched by a crowd of 20,000 in the impressive Dragon Stadium, Leeds took the lead through Harry Kewell after 10 minutes. Mark Viduka made it 2-0 just after 30 minutes.

Robbie Keane, Danny Mills and Robbie Fowler were all on target after the break.

Leeds made a total of 11 substitutions and now fly to Melbourne where they will face Chilean side Colo Colo on Saturday.