Milan claim Ronaldinho signing
AC Milan claim they are close to signing Barca forward Ronaldinho
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Wednesday, 16, Jul 2008 10:05
AC Milan have claimed Barcelona forward Ronaldinho is due to sign a three-year contract with them today after the two clubs agreed a fee.
Reports in Italy claim Milan's offer is more than £10 million less than the other main bid received for the player from Manchester City.
The Gazzetto dello Sport has stated that the San Siro outfit bid just under £15 million, with City lodging a more competitive £25.5 million offer.
But Ronaldinho has opted for Serie A because he believes he is more suited to the Italian style of play and he is more intrigued by the prospect of playing for a club like Milan, who have a more prestigious history.
A statement on the Milan website reads: "AC Milan and Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle over the transfer of Ronaldinho.
"The player will be in Milan on Wednesday to undergo a medical and sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until June 30th 2011."
The news is a blow to City owner Thaksin Shinawatra's hopes of signing Ronaldinho after the Brazilian was told he could leave Barcelona this summer.
The former Thai prime minister made no secret of his desire to attain the player in order to boost the club's profile.
And new manager Mark Hughes has also expressed a thinly-veiled interest in Ronaldinho, saying he wants to bring "high-quality, high-profile names" to the club.