Milan's transfer market options

In the past week or so, it was reported that Milan had agreed personal terms with Barcelona ace Ronaldinho for a move to San Siro. The transfer is subject to both clubs agreeing financial terms, Milan said.

One still has to see if the move was a mere publicity stunt for Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi ahead of the elections in Italy. However, the indications are that the Rossoneri do intend to assemble another strong squad to challenge for the scudetto.

Besides Ronaldinho, Andriy Shevchenko is also being tipped to make a headline-grabbing return to Milan.

Two questions immediately come to mind. Are these two strikers the right players for Milan to rediscover their winning touch? And, would the new signings be willing to play for a team outside the Champions League next season if Milan fail to secure the fourth place in the Serie A?

Ronaldinho and Shevchenko are top-notch strikers, possessing technical finesse and qualities few players in circulation have. Both can win games single-handed for their team.

However, the signings of Shev-chenko and Ronaldinho (Golden Ball winners in 2004 and 2005) alone will not be enough for Milan to become a force in Italy and on the continent. Their arrivals would indeed signify a huge improvement in Milan's attacking prowess but other re-enforcements are needed, particularly in defence, to add more options to coach Carlo Ancelotti.

New signings in attack would, in all probability, open the door for Alberto Gilardino to leave Milan. Some contend that he could go in exchange of Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey or Roma defender Philippe Mexes.

Marco Borriello, this season's leading marksman in Serie A who is co-owned by Milan and Genoa, would probably stay in Liguria.

So, if things go according to plan, Milan's front line next season will comprise Kaka, Alexandre Pato, Filippo Inzaghi, Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, Alberto Paloschi - if the lad is not loaned out to a less quoted club to get more exposure - and, when fit, the injury-prone Ronaldo.

With such a strong selection, Ancelotti would be spoilt for choice, albeit all his strikers seem to be lightweight. In such circumstances, there would be a missing link in Milan's attack - a deadly finisher and a prolific scorer. He would be required to play as a lone striker with Brazilians Kaka and Ronaldinho just behind in a typical 4-3-2-1 module, so favourite with the shrewd Ancelotti.

Didier Drogba, of Chelsea, would fit in nicely in such a formation.

But if the Ivory Coast international moves, he would follow in Jose Mourinho's footsteps and, perhaps, sign for Inter in the event that the Portuguese replaces Roberto Mancini at the end of the season.

There is also the age factor that Milan should take into consideration.

Shevchenko turns 32 in September. Ronaldinho was 28 last month.

The Ukrainian was always outstanding for Milan in his stint with the club between 1999 and 2006. In the two-year stay in London with Chelsea, Sheva barely played and, even less, left his mark on the team's successes.

Ronaldinho was in splendid form in season 2005/06 when Barcelona completed a remarkable La Liga and Champions League double. But one has to say that both players failed to leave their mark in the 2006 World Cup.

Lately, Ronaldinho has been in awful form. He was plagued by injuries and more often than not on the sidelines as Barca misfired badly in the league but still reached the Champions League semi-finals.

His rapport with coach Frank Rijkaard and some of his team-mates deteriorated in recent months, leaving the club with no other option but to part with their prized asset.

New surroundings will surely do well to rejuvenate the football careers of both Shevchenko and Ronaldinho although much would be expected of these two players wherever they go next.

But, it would be a huge mistake if Milan were to believe that their flaws are done away with once they get hold of the two strikers. Ronaldinho, meanwhile, is also being touted as a possible transfer target for Inter.

The signings of talented players in attack will surely make Milan more competitive. However, the club has to offload the veterans and opt for a quality goalkeeper, a reliable central defender and give ample room to the upcoming youngsters in Ancelotti's squad to succeed.

Serie A statistics

0 wins for Fiorentina at Inter's San Siro since May 7, 2000 (4-0). In the wake of Roma's 3-1 win at Udinese, Inter had no option other than to collect all points at stake against Fiorentina whose fort resisted for almost an hour before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. Inter and Fiorentina have not shared the spoils in Milan since November 16, 1996 (2-2). Udinese were one goal up against Roma until Mirko Vucinic's equaliser 26 minutes from time. From then, Roma never looked back and scored two more goals to chalk up their fourth success in their most recent five visits to the northeast.

1st defeat for Sampdoria after a seven-match run as they were beaten by relegation-threatened Reggina. This was Reggina's second win overall in five home meetings with Samp. For the southerners, that of Sunday was their first success after two draws and back-to-back defeats to Genoa (0-2) and Fiorentina (0-2). In a highly-contested derby, Palermo left it late to beat Catania by a solitary Fabrizio Miccoli goal. This was Palermo's second straight home win, following a 3-2 victory over Juventus. All Catania have to show from their four visits to Palermo are two draws, with the latest one coming on October 14, 1962 (1-1). Catania, together with fellow strugglers Parma and Reggina, are still without an away win this season.

4 points collected by Empoli in two matches since veteran coach Gigi Cagni resumed his duties. On Sunday, in a vital basement clash, Empoli came from a goal down to share the spoils for the very first time in seven clashes with Parma in Tuscany. Tonight, Parma play their game in hand away at Juventus. In another end-to-end clash, Cagliari beat Livorno 2-1 for the second time in four visits. From their last seven outings, lowly Livorno only managed three draws.

5 defeats conceded by crisis-hit Torino in their last six outings as they were floored 0-3 by Genoa. With this setback, Torino confirmed their dire record in Genova, with their most recent of seven wins there coming on Sept. 13, 1981 (1-0). Torino are currently four points above the drop zone but have two difficult fixtures coming up - vs Inter (home) and Roma (away). In a slow burning encounter in Rome, Lazio forfeited a 1-0 lead late in the game to share the spoils for the third time in five home meetings with Siena. The Tuscany side - now almost safe from the drop - have never beaten Lazio in the capital.

6 years had to pass for Juventus to return to winning ways against Milan in Turin. In a thrilling encounter, Juve almost made sure of finishing third at the expense of a depleted Milan side who were leading 2-1 at one stage in the first half. Juve played better after the break and scored the winning goal nine minutes from time to condemn Milan to their second defeat in three games. Napoli scored two goals inside four second-half minutes to register their first home win over Atalanta since February 4, 1996 (2-0).

25 goals were scored on the 33rd day: 16 coming from the hosts and the remaining nine from the visitors. Foreigners contributed with eight goals and there were 10 first-half goals. Total number of goals scored so far is 828. Neither own goals nor hat-tricks were recorded. Three players - Filippo Inzaghi (Milan), Hasan Salihamidzic (Juventus) and Robert Acquafresca (Cagliari) - grabbed a brace each. There were four players - Ludovic Giuly (Roma), Fabrizio Miccoli (Palermo) and Marco Di Vaio (Genoa) - who came on as substitutes and found the net. Daniele Bonera (Milan) was the only red-carded player. No penalties were awarded by referees. Marco Borriello (Genoa) still leads the scorers' list with 19 goals (five from penalties).