Mixed reaction to Ronaldinho arrival

There has been a muted response to the impending transfer of Ronaldinho to AC Milan by a number of the club's past players, according to La Gazzetta Sportiva.

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is expected to meet Barcelona officials and the Brazilian's agent and brother, Roberto De Assis, in the Catalan capital in the next 48 hours to finalise the move and pay a deposit of 10 million euros.

Despite the 28-year-old's pedigree as a two-time world player of the year though, there is a feeling amongst former stars of the Italian club that perhaps he isn't the type of player they need.

Pierino Prati, who helped Milan win the 1969 European Cup, believes that the club still requires a target-man.

“He's definitely a quality player, but is he what Milan needs? Perhaps not. Looking at the squad it's evident that there is a need for an out and out centre-forward,” he said.

Another European Cup winner with the club, Dejan Savicevic, is more concerned about the type of form Ronaldinho will be in as and when he arrives in Italy.

“If he starts training well and finds the form he had before, then he can be the star who makes things happen for Milan. His understanding with Kaka could be perfect,” he said.

One person who is in no doubt that the ex-Paris Saint Germain player will be a star in the San Siro is fellow Brazilian, Jose Altafini, who played in AC Milan's first ever European Cup triumph in 1963.

“Last season Roma played the best football with one striker and three others playing off him. If Milan want to play this type of beautiful football, this system is the best and would be perfect for Ronaldinho,” he said.