Premier League - Galliani: Ronaldinho rejected City

Eurosport - Mon, 07 Jul 08:50:00 2008

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claims Ronaldinho has rejected a lucrative offer from Manchester City despite the Premier League club offering twice what Milan can.

FOOTBALL: Barcelona forward Ronaldinho - 0

Milan and City have both vigorously pursued the signature of Ronaldinho this summer after Barcelona announced they were open to offers for the Brazil playmaker, but the Rossoneri are short on cash and have admitted they cannot compete financially with City's offer.

However, the player himself has said publicly that he would prefer a move to Milan or even Chelsea, and Galliani claims he has made good on that claim by turning down a higher wage - reportedly up to 250,000 euros a week (£197,963) - from City to focus instead on a move to Milan.

"Ronaldinho has rejected the offer of Manchester City despite them offering twice as much as we can," he told Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Galliani added that the main stumbling block in any deal to bring him to Milan would be Ronaldinho's wages, not the transfer fee.

"He is not in the plans of (Barcelona coach Pep) Guardiola, so he has a more favourable price," he said. "But the problem is the wages. For us to be able to afford him the transfer fee would have to be close to nothing."

Galliani has raised the possibility of signing the 28-year-old on loan in order to make the deal more affordable, but admitted: "It depends on Barcelona."

Milan have hinted at financial problems this summer, repeatedly stating that they can only afford to make one major signing and that they are unable to compete with major clubs in England and Spain for top players.

However, they have resisted any urge to sell players, despite what Galliani described as an "astronomical offer" from Chelsea for Kaka.

"An astronomical offer came in from Chelsea for Kaka, and (Andrea) Pirlo has received more than one request," he said. "But by the way, neither Andrea nor his agent have ever come to us asking for more money."

Milan have also been linked with Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor, but Galliani admitted the club's financial situation made a deal unlikely.

"Adebayor is thinking about Milan, as are (Didier) Drogba and Ronaldinho, but if I let Barcelona take him it's not because I'm crazy," he said. "It's difficult to compete with those who are making more money than you and who benefit from a more advantageous tax system.

"A year ago Milan offered Henry the same money as Barcelona, but in Spain he takes home 50 per cent more. In the 90s we stopped (Marco) Van Basten from going to Barcelona and were able to bring in (Jean-Pierre) Papin too. Things are less competitive now. (Arsene Wenger) has told me he wants 45 million (euros), which is an impossible amount."

The financial restrictions on Milan have led to frustrations among their fans, already unhappy at their failure to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Some have even been seeking to force owner Silvio Berlusconi to sell, but Galliani sent a message to those fans, insisting the club was doing all it could and that Berlusconi's support remains imperative.

"We do not have a transfer kitty stashed away here," he said. "Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League, the club is strengthening the squad and increasing the wages. This means we'll be 44 million euros in the red without Berlusconi's help.

"The fans should be happy, as all we'd need to do in order to wipe out our debts is sell Kaka and Andrea Pirlo. Instead they won't move, so if that's not a show of love for this side, I don't know what is.

"It is incredible that the supporters are not celebrating the arrival of Marco Borriello, who scored 19 goals last season, the fact Alexandre Pato can finally play a full campaign, Mathieu Flamini from Arsenal and World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta.

"As a fan, I too hope something else will happen, but Milan have already reinforced their squad."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 9 - 28 of 28

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. chelsea chelsea

    From jamalmoughal, on Thu 10 Jul 10:12AM

  2. Well, it'll probably be the dental plan that clinches the deal.

    From Nina G, on Tue 8 Jul 12:50AM

  3. Chris F i like your reasoning and i agree with you :D and every1 you can be sure that Milan will win the title this year :D they bought players that will surely help to fite till the end. maybe they'll get knocked out from Uefa cup by a team like Sevilla or Zenit but Seria a is in their pockets :D although it may be tricky when mourinho is messing around rofl :P

    From zevasti, on Mon 7 Jul 7:25AM

  4. ronaldhinio at man city no way.they still have a way to go before hitting those so talked about heights. if chelsea get him fantastic he needs a great team to focus his football and city at the minute are not. come on ronaldhinio the premier leauge awaits but go to a team where your football will shine..........

    From steven.minney, on Mon 7 Jul 7:17AM

  5. chelsea are @#$%

    From ashleygarrard1986, on Mon 7 Jul 3:11AM

  6. Chris F, in my opinion Ronaldinhore is the BEST player in the world, I don't care what people say about Kaka, Ronaldo, and etc. We all know when Ronaldinhore is "focused" there is NOBODY better, and the fact is, his "partying" around has affected his game. Eventually the antics of Ronaldinhore has cost Rijkaard his job. What makes you think Scolari or any other Manager can control him and get him to play. Do you remember George Best? Probably the footballer of ALL TIME (yes better than Pele), look what happened to him, he thought he was bigger than the game and partied whenever he wanted to the dislikes of Man-Ure. Sadly, Ronaldinhore is heading the same way.

    From starman_123, on Mon 7 Jul 2:23AM

  7. i hope he goes to chelsea......to further his career.

    From remmydewey, on Mon 7 Jul 1:22AM

  8. 2 be honest that doesn't surprise me 1 bit.

    From Justin, on Sun 6 Jul 10:54PM

  9. Ronaldinho would make it in the EPL. He's made some of the best defenders in the world look like idiots.
    He scored 2 goals against Real Madrid. Both were just seconds apart for one and other.
    He is really skillful.
    If Chelsea were able to get there hands on this guy. Get him on a strick diet and give him a curfew.
    It would be like having a fit Arjen Robben. But way better.

    But he'll go to AC Milan. Who better win the league this year. :D

    From Chris F, on Sun 6 Jul 9:48PM

  10. zevasti. I'll elaborate for you.
    Maldini is a very good defender. Plays more in the centre now. Due to his age.
    But when he came up against Ronaldo. At age 20.
    Maldini was playing right back.
    With all his pace and so called "dribbling ability". He didn't stand a chance a chance against Maldini.
    Who had the portuguese one trick poney in his back pocket the entire match.

    I wasn't so much as insulting Maldini. Probably wasn't the best example to use.
    Just it's a wingers job to beat a full back. and Ronaldo couldn't beat possibly the oldest fullback out there.

    Kaka, Now he is the best player in the world. No doubt about it.
    He single handedly beat Manchester United. Which is no mean feat.

    From Chris F, on Sun 6 Jul 9:43PM

  11. white_panda_angel i take it you know nothing of football, "I hope Ronaldinho will go over to chelsea.. with Deco, Ronaldinho (possible), Asharvin (posiible), Robinho (possible) chelsea will be UNBEATABLE !!!" you know that you will still be allowed 11 players on the pitch right? so with the players you already have and these players that means that some will be on the bench which they will not accept, thus you will not have all these players while keeping the ballacks and lampards already on the squad. COME BACK TO REALITY MATE

    From football4life, on Sun 6 Jul 5:31PM

  12. I hope Ronaldinho will go over to chelsea.. with Deco, Ronaldinho (possible), Asharvin (posiible), Robinho (possible) chelsea will be UNBEATABLE !!!

    From white_panda_angel, on Sun 6 Jul 5:13PM

  13. brightontsaurai yes the big Ronaldo is still at milan but he picked such an injury last year, that he wont be able to play for good.

    and i wanted to add that i cant even call MU a "team". as soon as one of them plays O.K. in a row they rush to the club officials and force them to pay more or else they'll leave the club. for me all those MU players (except maybe rooney giggs and scholes) are businessmen not footballers and C. Ronaldo is a bussinesswomen, not even a man!!!

    From zevasti, on Sun 6 Jul 4:40PM

  14. Chris F i agree with u about c. ronaldo stuff (dont even call him ronaldo, coz for me the real Ronaldo is Ronaldo, not this portugeese sht), but u say that he can't even pass Paolo Maldini. Why "even"? do u think it's easy to pass him? :D there is no defender more experienced than him, he who has played 1000+ games with milan shirt and still is the best defender in Italy. I'm milan fan since i was 3 years old and will stay Milanista for my whole life. and dont give a **** about this financial flow. Do you know why i like Milan and think that it's the best club in the world? because the atmosphere in the team is ideal. every1 in the club are have friend;y relationships. they didn't sack Carlito last year just because he failed in Seria a. nor did pirlo and kaka leave, even though they were paid much more and could play in champs leauge next year.

    From zevasti, on Sun 6 Jul 4:33PM

  15. He wouldn't be able to cut it in the EPL. You need more than techincal ability, which has been proven when many foreign stars come in and end up being failures. You need to be the complete package.
    If it's something I've noticed over the years its that if a foreign player is to make himself a star in the EPL, he needs to make the jump at an early age otherwise it'll end in tears.
    It'll be easier for Ronnie in Italy as the game's much slower and players stand off you off. He also won't be under the pressure of performing against the world's best teams and players in the Champions League as Milan aren't even in it! I guess the main problem is that Milan can't actually afford anyone. It's been embarrassing seeing them going after so many players and unable to meet the asking price. Does this mean Ronnie is a last resort considering they want after Drogba, Adabayeor, Sheva and Eto?

    From vulcanraven01, on Sun 6 Jul 4:29PM

  16. Silvio Berlusconi is a billionare how AC are in debt? the corruption in Italian sports and Italy in general has reached the stage where it is difficult to differentiate from right and wrong

    From melaniejhutton, on Sun 6 Jul 4:16PM

  17. WE NEED TO KNOW IT IS JUST A GAME

    From antoniomsonia, on Sun 6 Jul 4:13PM

  18. I want Ronaldinho to go to Milan. How about the big Ronaldo? Is he still a Milan player? I hope he bounces back again like he has always done. I like to see Milan with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka etc altogether, you know, the Brazilian stars. Milan will be unstoppable.

    From brightontsaurai, on Sun 6 Jul 3:23PM

  19. I THINK HE WILL GO TO CHELSEA BECAUSE THEIR ARE MUCH RICHER THEN THEM AND GIVE HIM A GOOD WAGE AND HE IS A FRIEND TO LUIZ FELIPE SCAORI

    From jamalmoughal, on Sat 5 Jul 10:38AM

  20. I am an Arsenal fan, but I would still like to see him play in the EPL for any club exept Liverpool, Man u and Chelsea.

    From florencedionne, on Fri 4 Jul 2:51PM
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account