MADRID -- Brazilian superstar Rivaldo, just released by FC Barcelona, has received an offer from AC Milan, according to Spanish press reports Tuesday.

However, the Italian club was apparently only willing to pay Rivaldo, a key member of Brazil's World Championship Squad, three million euros per year, a sum which the Spanish sports newspaper ***Marca*** described as "ridiculous" when compared with the twelve million he had been earning at Barcelona.

Barcelona had announced on Sunday that an amicable agreement had been reached with the Brazilian to cancel his contract, which had been due to run until 2003, DPA reported.

Other clubs which have indicated an interest in the 30-year-old Rivaldo are Newcastle United of the English Premier League and newly promoted Spanish Club Atletico Madrid.

The Roman Club Lazio, on the other hand, has said that the Brazilian striker does not fit into its plans.

The Brazilian confirmed that he had decided to leave Barcelona after Dutchman Louis van Gaal was brought back as coach.

"He doesn't like me and I don't like him," Rivaldo declared on Brazilian television. He denied pledging not to switch to Barca's big rivals, real Madrid, and sent a message to his countryman Roberto Carlos, who plays for real: "I am unemployed. Tell Real manager Jorge Valdano that he should phone me up."

But the Spanish media are treating this as a joke, especially since Real Madrid had earlier ruled out signing Rivaldo.

Neverthless, Marca urged Real President Florentino Perez to reconsider, since one seldom had the chance to get a superstar like Rivaldo without having to pay a transfer fee.