Unsurprisingly I guess, Ronaldinho appears to have chosen a move to AC Milan over Manchester City according to the latest reports.
An ambitious move by City to sign the Brazilian looked to have been the players best option as Milan played a waiting game and for a while the Manchester club were favourites to land the out of form player.
But today it seems that Ronaldinho is set to sign for the Italian team for an initial fee of not much more than half of what City have allegedly offered, with the figure likely to be boosted by performance related bonuses. An incredible turn of events given that last season Barcelona were talking about a buy out clause of 40 to 80 million euros, depending on the source, when Chelsea showed a brief interest in the player.
To be honest, with Scolari’s move to Chelsea I always expected the London team to hijack a deal at the eleventh hour, but it seems that their interest in the play maker has waned.
I don’t think Manchester City will lose any sleep over losing out to Milan. The interest shown and offers made prove the club’s intent and it is interesting to see City looking much more ambitious and business like in the market since the recruitment of executive chairman Garry Crook and manager Mark Hughes.
This time last year Sven Goran Eriksson was amassing a team from all quarters of the world from a collection of video recordings. It was an unusual way to recruit a team but it has to be said that for half a season it looked as though the former England boss had found a touch of genius as City topped the table and appeared capable of staying there.
This season the management team look stronger, Mark Hughes is champing at the bit to prove himself at this level after building a very capable and difficult to beat team at Blackburn. He deserves this chance and Garry Cook is backing him all the way.
2 comments so far
1 free bet // Jul 17, 2008 at 5:55 am
dinnae why milan got him for less cash….
2 Terry Lane // Jul 17, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Because of Ronaldinho’s performance, or lack of it, on the pitch last season for Barcelona, I’m still really surprised that AC Milan want to add him to their aging squad.
I really think he will only bring disruption and the odd flash of genius, which is surely not enough for an Italian team that need to rebuild.
As for Manchester City, I think Mark Hughes has had a lucky escape in not having to build a team around one overweight, over-the-hill prima donna. I think Mark Hughes and Manchester City will be able to spend that sort of money much more wisely on bringing in a few top class players that will blend into their long term plans.