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Ronaldinho snubbed Chelsea move, Milan intermediary claims

21/04/2008

The intermediary involved in Ronaldinho's proposed transfer from Barcelona to AC Milan has claimed the player snubbed a big-money move to Chelsea.

Ernesto Bonzetti, who is representing the Italian club's interests in negotiations over Ronaldinho's future, says the Brazilian international does not want to play in England.

Ronaldinho joined Barca from Paris St Germain in 2003 and has since won the world player of the year award twice in 2005 and 2006.

However, he has reportedly fallen out with senior officials at the Catalan giants in recent months, paving a way for the 28-year-old to be sold this summer.

And despite being courted by the Blues, according to Bonzetti, the player is keen to remain in southern Europe rather than try his hand in the more physically demanding and faster-paced Premier League.

"Few can afford Ronaldinho, so Milan and Chelsea are the clubs who have sought him out most insistently," Bronzetti told Italian broadcaster RAI.

"Ronaldinho doesn't really like English football though, he much prefers Milan."

It remains unclear what sort of transfer fee the talented playmaker will command, although estimates range between £25 million and £40 million.

Gianluca Zambrotta, who joined Barcelona from Juventus when the Italian side were relegated from Serie A as part of the match-fixing investigation in 2006, is also expected to return to his home country in the summer after Milan enquired about his availability.