Ronnie's week --- 1. Milan - Ronaldinho

While last week a deal seemed close, this week's events, which this blog brings to you in three parts, lead to think that the transfer of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) to Milan will not be agreed upon between all parties shortly.

1. Milan - Ronaldinho
Everybody agrees that Milan still wants Ronaldinho and that Ronaldinho still wants Milan. For Milan, the transfer of the Brazilian star could move the attention away from the disappointing season that even could get worse if the team doesn't qualify for the next edition of the Champions League.

On Monday evening, Roberto de Assís, brother and agent of Ronaldinho, drove from Milan to Arcore in the north of Italy in the car of AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani. In Villa San Martino, Roberto was the surprise guest at the dinner where family, close friends and staff members of Milan president Silvio Berlusconi celebrated his election victory.

Roberto offered Berlusconi a congratulation gift: a shirt of his brother with "a very affectionate message", as Berlusconi told that night to Monaco radio station Radio Monte Carlo. Asked if Ronaldinho will join Milan in the summer transfer window, the Milan president said: "For the time being, only his brother has arrived. But I have very high hopes."

Ronaldinho indeed would have set his mind on playing together with his compatriots Kaká and Pato. A move to Inter Milan or Manchester City, two clubs who also have contacted with Roberto, is a this stage not even considered.

On Wednesday, Berlusconi repeated to Italian television channel Sky Italia that Ronaldinho made clear to him that he wants to sign for Milan and gave three reasons for that: "First, this club is the world champion. Second, there are three Brazilians playing in the team. And third, the whole world knows how good we treat our players."

The next Italian prime minister insisted that Milan's prestige is decisive in the decision of the player, and not the economic conditions of the offer: "We're possibly paying a little less than some other teams but we can afford that since we can guarantee him more glory."

The latter is contradicted by a report of Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo, which claims that Roberto closed on Wednesday a super deal with Milan: Ronaldinho would sign for five years and receive a record salary of 12 million euro° a year. Milan would be convinced that Ronaldinho could get back on his top level and lead the club to new trophies.

2. Ronaldinho - Barcelona
(you can read this part here)

3. Barcelona - Milan
(you can read this part on this blog the day after tomorrow)


Read more:
Ronaldinho agent met with Milan and Inter
Everybody wants Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho agent stirs things up