Warm weather training: Milan players (left-right)
Mario Yepes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Antonio Cassano, and Ronaldinho
enjoy the sun in Dubai
Ronaldinho is being offered around England for £7million
in the hope of sparking interest from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The AC Milan star is wanted by clutch of Brazilian clubs -
including Flamengo, Palmeiras and hometown side Gremio - but none
has shown willingness to meet the asking price.
Ronaldinho is out of contract at the end of the season and Milan
do not want him to walk out for nothing just three years after
arriving from Barcelona for almost £15m.
The LA Galaxy would love to team the 30-year-old up with David
Beckham in an MLS line-up that would evoke memories of the
star-studded New York Cosmos, but clubs in England, Italy and Spain
have all be invited to enter the bidding when the January transfer
window opens.
Ronaldinho’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis has indicated
there is concrete interest from Barclays Premier League clubs and
said: ‘There are many Brazilian clubs interested in Ronaldinho, but
I won’t rule out a European move. It seems clear his time with the
Rossoneri is at an end.’
Despite showing signs of a return to form early in the season,
Milan coach Massimo Allegri has not given him a Serie A start since
mid-October and can justify the snub by their position at the top
of the table.
Moving on? Ronaldinho (top) with Milan team-mate
Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Al Mamzar Beach Park in Dubai
Liverpool were linked with a move for the two-time FIFA
World Player of the Year earlier this month, though Anfield boss
Roy Hodgson insisted he had ‘never even thought’ about making a
move.
Manchester City made a move for him back in 2008 when they were
looking for a commercially attractive impact signing, but are
likely to now turn their nose up at a player who has been
marginalised at the San Siro because of the rise of Robinho - a
player who flopped so spectacularly at Eastlands.
Milan may also struggle to tempt Chelsea. Roman Abramovich has
previously been prepared to fund a move for a player he so admired
at the peak of his Barcelona days, but is unlikely to see little
value in a player demanding £100,000 a week.
Also, Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti was not a fan of
Ronaldinho when the coach led AC Milan before moving to England.
Keeping the playmaker out of the Rossoneri starting XI led to
friction with money man Silvio Berlusconi, but the Milan president
has finally sanctioned the sale of his showpiece signing.
Manchester United tried to sign him in 2003 but a move now would
be a retrograde step for the table-toppers.
Despite claims of interest, few others could afford Ronaldinho’s
wages, and, in any case, whether he would be prepared to play for
anyone but a Champions League side is questionable.