Milan’s Ronaldinho swoop is gathering pace as after Adriano Galliani’s dinner with his agent, it’s claimed the club has offered £16m.
The Rossoneri have not disguised their renewed interest in the unsettled Barcelona star and Galliani met with agent Roberto Assis on Wednesday.
When asked about the rumours of a transfer, President Silvio Berlusconi did not hold back. “We live in hope,” he said, then made a gesture with his hand to suggest the deal was nearly done.
An injury has ended his season, so it seems as if Ronaldinho has played his final game for Barca, but there are other clubs interested too.
As Juventus, Inter and Chelsea are all tracking the former World and European Player of the Year, Milan intend to go straight to the source.
Under the FIFA rules, Ronaldinho could extricate himself from his Barcelona contract at a cost of just £10.5m.
However, the Rossoneri hope to get the club on side by refusing to take that route, instead offering a more substantial £16m.
This could give them the upper hand in negotiations, allowing both the player and clubs to reach an amicable agreement.
It remains an absolute bargain for Milan, considering last year the price-tag requested was £40m.
However, it must also be noted that he is reportedly requesting a four-year contract worth £6.3m per season, vastly increasing the economic burden of this operation.
Other clubs are looking to a different approach, as it is claimed Inter chief Massimo Moratti is aiming to get Nike in on the deal.
Juventus are also interested, as are Chelsea, so the race for Ronaldinho is on.
