Ronaldinho set for Brazil return

Ronaldinho appears to have rejected a move to Blackburn Rovers and remains on course to rejoin Brazilian club Gremio.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona forward is due to bring an end to his three-year spell with Serie A side AC Milan following the arrival of Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria.

Ronaldinho has been widely expected to return to Gremio, the club where he began his professional career in 1998.

English Premier League club Blackburn emerged as an unlikely bidder this week, but any hopes they had of securing the former world player of the year appear to be receding fast following comments by Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri on Wednesday.

“We are all sorry to lose a player of the quality of Ronaldinho,” Allegri said.

“But he has made a life choice by going to Brazil.”

The 30-year-old 2002 World Cup winner is expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal with Gremio, who finished fourth in last season’s Brazilian championship.