Flamini joining, Ronaldinho not, claim Milan

Arsenal’s French midfielder Mathieu Flamini was due to arrive in Milan on Sunday night to sign a deal with AC Milan, club vice-president Adriano Galliani said on Sunday.

He was speaking after Milan beat city rivals Inter to move into fourth spot in Serie A and consequently a Champions League qualification position.

Club president Silvio Berlusconi confirmed the news about Flamini but also said that the reigning European champions were no longer interested in signing Brazil star Ronaldinho.

Asked about Flamini on Italia 1 TV, Galliani said: “He’s coming here tonight and will sign a four-year deal.”

The 24-year-old joined the Gunners from Marseille in 2004 and after being no more than a bit-part player for his first three seasons, he’s become a fixture in the first 11 this season.

Meanwhile Berlusconi did an about turn on Ronaldinho, whom Milan had previously claimed would join them if he left Barcelona.

The Catalans’ asking price of at least 40 million euros is more than double the Italians are willing to pay, though, and now Berlusconi has lost interest.

“I always doubted whether or not Ronaldinho would be useful to us,” he said. “Now I’m certain we don’t need him.”