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CLOSING IN: Brazilian, Real star is close to finalizing a deal to play with the Red Bulls, sources say

East Rutherford, N.J. -- Ronaldo could be a New York Red Bull sooner than reported.

The Brazilian National Team star and Real Madrid striker is close to finalizing a deal to play for the Red Bulls after the World Cup, according to sources close to the MLS club and throughout the league.

According to two league-wide sources, "it is a done deal," although that could not be confirmed from the Red Bulls.

Metrofanatic.com reported that the 2002 World Cup scoring champion could join the club as well after the World Cup.

It had been widely believed that if Ronaldo did join the Red Bulls it would most likely be after his contract with Real expires in 2008.

One source Wednesday tempered the possible deal, saying that a great World Cup by Ronaldo could change things and he could wind up having the option of getting more money from a bigger team.

A.C. Milan and Inter Milan reportedly are pursuing Ronaldo.

Ronaldo met with Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Salzburg, Austria in late April, although Mateschitz downplayed the meeting.

Spanish sports daily Marca reported last weekend that Ronaldo was considering playing for either the Red Bulls or a club team in Qatar. Ronaldo reportedly said he was seeking a change of scene that is "less stressful," Marca reported. Ronaldo, 29, reportedly was going to make a decision until after the club's July 2 elections, the newspaper said.

If Real wants a transfer fee for Ronaldo, that could pose a problem for the Red Bulls because he is worth at least $10 million on the market, despite his recent injuries.

Ronaldo would earn much less with the Red Bulls, who could afford the Brazilian under MLS's proposed "Beckham Rule" in which teams would be allowed to sign one high-profile foreign player who would not be counted toward the $1.8 million salary cap. If he did wind up with the Red Bulls, Ronaldo probably would earn in the neighborhood of $1 million, it has been reported.

Ronaldo, who earned a reported $8.25 million annual salary from Real, probably could afford a paycut because he also brings in $14 million in endorsements a year, France Football reported. Coming to America would open up a new realm of endorsement possibilities for Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who has scored 12 career World Cup goals, needs three to surpass Gerd Mueller as the tournament's all-time leader.

Ronaldo just might be the tip of the iceberg. The Red Bulls have a number of the high-profile international stars on their prospective shopping list, sources said.

Playmaking midfielder Zinedine Zidane, the hero of France's 1998 World Cup championship team and a good friend of Red Bulls midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, and Dutch defensive midfielder Edgar Davids also are on the team's shopping list, league-wide sources said.

Davids, who ran the Dutch attack from a deep-lying midfield position, plays for Tottenham Hotspur (England) and has been linked with going to Ajax in his native Netherlands.