Chelsea alone in Ronaldinho race
Dominic Fifield
Thursday November 1, 2007
The Guardian
The chances of Ronaldinho swapping Barcelona for Chelsea have improved after a Milan source said their priority was to sign a striker rather than a playmaker, which they already possess in Kaka. The Italian club were perceived to be Chelsea's primary rivals in the pursuit of the Brazilian, who is becoming marginalised at Camp Nou. However, a source at Milan has confirmed that an attacking midfielder would not be their priority either during the mid-winter transfer window or at the end of the current season.
Instead the source at Milan, who are currently 13th in Serie A after a dismal start to the domestic season, said the club would target a ball-winning centre-forward in the mould of Didier Drogba, after seeing Ronaldo, Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino struggle this season.
That would, theoretically, leave Chelsea as the main suitors for Ronaldinho, with their owner, Roman Abramovich, having long targeted the Brazilian as a player who could supply the guile and effervescence he has been seeking at Stamford Bridge. Barca have valued him at £43m but would probably accept a substantial offer.
Abramovich met the player's brother, Roberto Assis in August and Chelsea are one of the few clubs able to match Ronaldinho's and Barça's financial demands. Other senior figures at Stamford Bridge are understood to be doubtful over whether a move for the 27-year-old would be advisable, particularly given the Premiership club's desire to streamline its business
