Brazilian striker Ronaldo will undergo a
medical at AC Milan on Friday as he takes a step closer to completing
his drawn-out move from Real Madrid.
Adriano Galliani, Milan's administrative official, said that Ronaldo
would have his medical on Friday before club officials travel to Spain
to finalise the details on Monday.
"Tomorrow (Friday) Ronaldo will submit to a medical visit and then on
Monday I have already fixed an appointment with Real," he said.
The 30-year-old Brazilian striker, who was expected to watch AC Milan's
Italian Cup match against Roma later Thursday, has been the subject of
transfer talks since the summer, with new Real coach Fabio Capello
virtually deeming the 2002 world champion surplus to requirements.
This season he has hardly featured and although Real were reportedly
still hoping to net 10 million euros (13 million dollars) for the player
they signed for 45 million euros from Inter Milan in 2002, reports from
Italy said a fee would come in nearer 7.5 million euros.
Spain's El Mundo newspaper said the transfer fee would be nearer six
million euros.
The clubs' lengthy negotiations had stalled over a difference in their
perception of the burly Brazilian's value, with the Italians seeking to
close a deal for five million euros.
But according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, AC Milan are willing
to pay 7.5 million euros if necessary.
Some teammates had urged the club to keep faith with Ronaldo and striker
Ruud Van Nistelrooy expressed surprise at the news the Brazilian was
already on his way.
"Is that so? If he leaves I'll be sad. For me he's still here - I
trained with him today as usual," said the Dutchman, who added. "He's a
fantastic person and an incredible player."
Ronaldo is no stranger to Italy having starred for Inter between 1997
and 2002.
His current contract with Real was set to expire in June 2008.
El Mundo, quoting unnamed Real sources, said Ronaldo would sign a deal
with AC Milan through to the end of next season.
The newspaper noted earlier in its print edition that AC Milan could
have had to shell out 18 million euros for Ronaldo last summer "but the
club itself devalued the product by making a number of disparaging
comments" about the player, his attitude and his fitness.
