Ronaldinho now Flamengo bound?

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani believes Ronaldinho is now set to join Flamengo, rather than former club Gremio.

The Brazilian World Cup-winning forward had been expected to return to Gremio, the club where he began his professional career in 1998.

But according to Galliani, the two-time world player of the year is likely to join Flamengo, who finished 14th in last season’s Brazilian championship.

“I believe (Ronaldinho) is 99.99 percent of Flamengo,” Galliani told TV Globo.

Flamengo president Patricia Amorim stopped short of endorsing Galliani’s comments, but did confirm that the clubs were in negotiations.

“This hasn’t been an easy, calm discussion,” Amorim told G1.

“But it is important that Flamengo and Milan reach an agreement.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes Serie A will be poorer without the former Barcelona man, but he is already looking forward to fitting new arrival Antonio Cassano in to the line-up.

“I think that we’ve always had a good relationship with Ronaldinho, based on respect,” Allegri said.

“He has always respected my choices.”

“From a technical point of view, they’re both two extraordinary players.”

“When Ronaldinho decided to leave, this has been a great loss for AC Milan and for Italian football in general, since I believe that a player with such technical skills will hardly be seen again in Italy.”

“But in any case there are the team’s balances and the things that a player should give. Cassano has so much to give and I believe he’s going to do it in the best possible way.”

Milan host Udinese at the San Siro on Sunday, eager to secure another three points after beating Cagliari in the first game back following the Italian winter break.

“First of all this is going to be a difficult match, as the one against Cagliari was,” Allegri said.

“Tomorrow it’s going to be even tougher since Udinese has great technical skills and players which are fast, are able to change the action and play very well as they are well organized. We should be patient and, above all, play a clever match.”