Ronaldinho has agreed initial terms with AC Milan and
the Serie A club will now speak to Barcelona about a deal, Milan
and the player's agent have said. The 28-year-old Brazilian has had
a difficult few months at the Nou Camp because of injury and loss
of form and a move has long been mooted. The forward is out for the
rest of the campaign with a leg injury and a transfer can not
officially go through until the end of the season.
'In general Ronaldinho and Milan are in agreement,' his agent
and brother Roberto de Assis was quoted as saying on the Gazzetta
dello Sport website on Saturday. Gazzetta said a deal up to 2012
worth eight million euros ($12.6 million) a year was in the
pipeline with a few clauses to be agreed.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: 'There is a general
agreement with the player. Now a deal has to be reached with
Barcelona. Give us time.' Spanish and Italian media reports have
speculated about a transfer fee of between 20 and 30 million euros
while some newspapers have talked about Ronaldinho buying up the
rest of his contract at Barca.
Milan are fifth in Serie A and in danger of missing next year's
Champions League after a poor season. They were dumped out of this
year's Champions League as holders by Arsenal in the first knockout
round. Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled to score and create
goals with Brazilian Ronaldo playing just a handful of games before
being ruled out long term with a knee injury.
Fellow striker Alberto Gilardino has been lacklustre and world
player of the year Kaka has been far from his best. Despite their
troubles, Ancelotti has been assured of his job next term.
