Ronaldinho nearing Milan switch, says club

Barcelona forward Ronaldinho is close to signing for Milan, the Italian club said yesterday.

Manchester City have also bid for the 28-year-old Brazilian, but media reports have said Milan have won the race despite offering just 18.5 million euros ($29.5 million), almost half as much as the Premier League club.

"There is a good chance that Ronaldinho's passage to Milan will become a reality. Only a few economic issues are left but our legal department has already prepared all the necessary documents," Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa told the club website (www.acmilan.com).

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has been in Barcelona for talks with the club and the player over the last two days.

"I have heard from Galliani and he is calm even if no one has yet put pen to paper. We are all waiting," Cantamessa added.

Italian media said that if the financial details were ironed out, Ronaldinho could fly to Milan early this morning and be presented at the training ground today.

Milan, who will play in the UEFA Cup this season after finishing fifth in Serie A last term, have been chasing Ronaldinho for three months and the player has consistently said a move to the San Siro appealed.

He has spent five years at the Nou Camp, helping Barca win the Champions League in 2006 and their domestic title in 2005 and 2006.