Berlusconi expects Ronaldinho to take centre stage

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi said he expects Ronaldinho to make up for the loss of Brazilian countryman Kaka this coming season.

Milan sold star player Kaka to Real Madrid for 67 million euros and have so far failed to attract any major signings to the club over the summer.

They had been trying to land a striker but missed out on VfL Wolfsburg’s Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko and are unwilling to meet Sevilla’s asking price for Brazil starter Luis Fabiano.

It has left fans frustrated, fearing the club will not be able to improve on last season’s third place finish in Serie A.

But Berlusconi, the Italy Prime Minister, says it is high time for Ronaldinho — Milan’s marquee signing last summer — to step up and show the form that saw him twice crowned world player of the year.

“He needs to be the extra man this season, that’s the responsibility of a sale we were forced into making,” Berlusconi told Mediaset.

“But this (sale of Kaka) will give Ronaldinho space. All the other players also want this to be Ronaldinho’s year. He’s 29 and in top shape physically.

“All he needs now is the desire to be decisive for this Milan team and I believe we can have faith in him.”

As for signing his compatriot Fabiano, Berlusconi is adamant his team will not be held to ransom.

Milan are rumoured to have offered 14 million euros while Sevilla want something closer to 20 million euros.

“I don’t know what chance there is of Luis Fabiano arriving but this season we want to concentrate on youth,” added the president.

“We’ve added Gianmarco Zigoni, who is a promissing young player and that’s the direction we’re pointing to.

“Then there’s (Marco) Borriello, Pato, (Filippo) Inzaghi; we’re not lacking in attack.

“We’ll see, we’re not going to spend silly money in a moment such as this when we are experiencing financial difficulties.”