Rivaldo: Free agent (GaryMPrior/Allsport)

'Barcelona supporters can rest easy,' club spokesman Josep Maria Coronas told Catalan radio after the agreement to free Rivaldo was announced on the club's website on Sunday.

'Rivaldo will not be going to Real Madrid, although that's just my personal opinion as a director.

'Rivaldo is going because it's in the best interests of the club. The club president Joan Gaspart and the player will give all the details at a future news conference.'

Barca appear not to have included a clause in their contract with the World Cup winner that would bar him from signing for Real.

According to Barcelona-based sports newspapers, however, Rivaldo has given his word that he will not end up moving to the nine-times European Cup winners.

Real have also been doing their best to dampen speculation about a bid for the 30-year-old.

In a note on their website on Sunday they said they respected Rivaldo's position as a Barcelona player and promised there would be no repeat of the acrimonious £37million acquisition of Luis Figo from the Nou Camp two years ago.

Now that Rivaldo is a free agent they could decide to move in but they appear unwilling to jeopardise the recent thaw in relations between the two clubs, who lobby together as part of the G-14 group of top European clubs.

Rivaldo's most likely destination would appear to be Italy. Lazio made an offer last year and they recently expressed a renewed interest, while AC Milan have long been keen on the player.

Rivaldo's pay demands are likely to be substantial but with the factor of a transfer fee now removed from the equation that may not be such a problem, even if cash-strapped Serie A clubs are currently exercising financial caution.

Elsewhere, Manchester United have demonstrated their willingness to spend with the £30million deal to sign Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United, while Newcastle United revealed last month that they were keeping an eye on Rivaldo.

Newcastle manager Bobby Robson, the former Barcelona coach who made way for Louis van Gaal in 1997, was instrumental in persuading Barca to sign Rivaldo from Deportivo Coruna for £20million and his liking for the player appears undiminished.