MILAN, April 12 (Reuters) - Ronaldinho has agreed initial
terms with AC Milan and the Serie A club will now speak to
Barcelona about a deal, Milan and the player's agent have said.
The 28-year-old Brazilian has had a difficult few months at
the Nou Camp because of injury and loss of form and a move has
long been mooted.
The forward is out for the rest of the campaign with a leg
injury and a transfer can not officially go through until the
end of the season.
'In general Ronaldinho and Milan are in agreement,' his
agent and brother Roberto de Assis was quoted as saying on the
Gazzetta dello Sport Web site (www.gazzetta.it) on Saturday.
Gazzetta said a deal up to 2012 worth eight million euros
($12.6 million) a year was in the pipeline with a few clauses to
be agreed.
Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: 'There is a
general agreement with the player. Now a deal has to be reached
with Barcelona. Give us time.'
Spanish and Italian media reports have speculated about a
transfer fee of between 20 and 30 million euros while some
newspapers have talked about Ronaldinho buying up the rest of
his contract at Barca.
Milan are fifth in Serie A and in danger of missing next
year's Champions League after a poor season. They were dumped
out of this year's Champions League as holders by Arsenal in the
first knockout round.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled to score and create
goals with Brazilian Ronaldo playing just a handful of games
before being ruled out long term with a knee injury.
Fellow striker Alberto Gilardino has been lacklustre and
world player of the year Kaka has been far from his best.
Despite their troubles, Ancelotti has been assured of his
job next term.
Former Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff, who remains an
influential figure at the club, said Ronaldinho should leave at
the end of the season.
'If things aren't working out and one person doesn't want to
stay and the others don't want him then it is the best
solution,' the Dutchman told reporters on Saturday.
