Manchester City Football Club

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:47805

City miss out on Ronaldinho

04 Jul 2008 - 07:55:44

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Manchester City's hopes of landing Ronaldinho appear to have been ended after his agent claimed it was '90 per cent' certain that the Brazil star would join AC Milan.

Earlier in the week, the Citizens were believed to be frontrunners in the race to sign the 28-year-old forward after tabling an official bid with his current club Barcelona.

Meanwhile, officials from Milan had admitted they were struggling to compete financially with the deal on the table from the Premier League club.

However despite City owner Thaksin Shinawatra admitting that it would be a 'dream' to lure Ronaldinho to Eastlands, the player now seems certain to be heading to Italy.

Chelsea were also reportedly in the running to sign Ronaldinho after being told he was surplus to requirements at Barcelona this summer.

"It's true, he is likely to go to Milan," revealed Ronaldinho's agent and brother Roberto de Assis.

"Everything is ready for the transfer. It is 90 per cent and we are heading in this direction."

Speaking on Wednesday, City boss Mark Hughes was upbeat about the prospect of luring the former world and European player of the year to England.

"He's a huge world star, so these things, if they are going to happen, will take time, but we're still interested," he revealed.

"I think in the discussions that he's held with the club he's been very positive about coming here."