Ronaldinho set for talks to seal Brazilian return

Ronaldinho was travelling to Rio de Janeiro from Porto Alegre last night to meet with officials from Milan and will seek to extract himself from his contract with the Serie A side, freeing him up to join his home-town club, Gremio, where he started his career in 1998.

The Brazilian has been targeted by several clubs, including Blackburn Rovers, but always favoured a return home. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed the player's intentions yesterday. "We are all sorry to lose a player of the quality of Ronaldinho," he said. "But he has made a life choice by going to Brazil."

Ronaldinho's contract with Milan expires at the end of the season and, with the Rossoneri having signed Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria this week, there is no space for the former Barcelona player in Allegri's line-up. Blackburn's new owners, the Indian poultry giant Venky's, are desperate to to attract a big name to Ewood Park this month.