Ronaldinho Still a Rossonerri?
After a sluggish start at San Siro, Ronaldinho was spurred back to life during the 2009-10 Seria A season. And despite failing to land a starting spot with the Brazilian National Team, Ronaldinho is easily one of the best players to don the Red and Black jersey of AC Milan last season.
But since we are at the season of summer transfers, speculations are abound once again—and Ronaldinho is among the names rumoured to be shipping out.
It is being reported that Ronaldinho could see a move out of Milan if the price is right. According to a report by Il Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan would be willing to let go of the former Barcelona man if an interested club is willing to put €10 million on the negotiating table.
And when we say interested clubs, we mean Flamengo and Los Angeles Galaxy. ‘Dinho is deemed to be excited that the said teams are inquiring about his services. Whether he finds himself with the Americans or the Brazilians before the summer is over, Ronaldinho could showcase his wares closer to his home, ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
However, the negotiations have come to a standstill after reports stated that neither club is able or willing to shell out €10 million for the former FIFA World Player of the Year.
Still, sources say that his agent brother Roberto De Assis is currently in talks with the Rossonerri officials to try and wriggle Ronaldinho free.
As of today, things appear sticky for the Rossonerri. First and foremost, Ronaldinho’s contract with Milan has just one year left. The Italian giants are prepared to to offer the former World Cup winner a contract extension but they are unable to go over €4 million a season.
Should Milan hold on to the Brazilian, it will cost them €8m in wages for the next year and they will lose him for free in 2011 as talks over a new deal seem distant.
Ronaldinho appears to be primed and ready to leave San Siro.
But if it were up to the owner of AC Milan (and Italian Prime Minister), Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan will never transfer the brilliant Brazilian. "Ronaldinho is not transferable and we're all in agreement that he will remain at Milan as long as he continues to play," said Berlusconi during a recent press conference in Italy.
"I've not spoken to him recently, but it is certain that we will be renewing his contract and that he'll stay (at Milan) as long as he continues to play. I consider him the best player of all time."
The former Barcelona ball wizard has yet to hit the heights he once reached with the Catalan giants, but he has regained much of his footballing prowess during the last season of Serie A where Milan ended up with a third place finish.
And if it weren’t for the equally-brilliant Manchester United keeper Edwin Van Der Sar, Ronaldinho would have added the Champions League title to his trophy case.
"He's the biggest attraction at AC Milan. He's worth the ticket price alone. He's worth 10 times the amount attributed to him in the papers recently," added Berlusconi.
Berlusconi isn’t bluffing. The Ronaldinho of old has been resurrected with AC Milan. The long stretching runs against hapless defenders are back. The tremendous passing skills are on display once again. And more importantly, that buck-toothed smile is flashing again for all to see.
Still, we all have to wait and see how this will play out. Will Ronaldinho move away from San Siro? Or will the Brazilian stay with the squad that helped him smile once more?
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