By Sean Connolly

It seems like this whole Ronaldinho trade has gone on for too long. It’s obvious that Barcelona wants to get rid of the guy, so why is it so hard to get him on a new team. Ronaldinho has been rumored to have been traded to AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Manchester City.

At first it seemed certain that Ronaldinho would be a part of AC Milan come next season. But as talks fell through over money and the concerns of Ronaldinho’s health, AC Milan faded away for a bit in the Ronaldinho Sweepstakes. Not letting their rival get an upper hand, Inter Milan soon joined the mix distributing a bid for the once greatest player in the world. And in every race you need a darkhorse, a long shot, a nobody. Manchester City stepped up and probably put the most appetizing deal on the table for Ronaldinho.

Again though, AC Milan has taken the lead. They are now trying to decide between taking Emmanuel Adebayor or Ronaldinho. Who will AC Milan take though? I think they’re leaning more towards Adebayor, which again opens things up for Manchester City who would really be the only bidder left for Ronaldinho. Taking Adebayor over Ronaldinho is the better choice for AC Milan due to his size and age which could put Ronaldinho in Manchester City.

It seems to me that Ronaldinho has a desire to come to the English Premier League. Whether or not coming to Manchester City will satisfy what he wants is totally different. As I said in my first post about this ongoing trade, Ronaldinho going to AC Milan and playing in Serie A would be a terrible idea for him. In such a defensive league Ronaldinho will certainly struggle if traded to AC Milan or Inter Milan.

Manchester City being a long shot to get Ronaldinho kind of got me thinking. I know it’s border line impossible but maybe just maybe an MLS team can get in the mix for him. If anything just a couple of talks could certainly help for the future like when he gets ready to hang up the cleats. He could pull a David Beckham and decide to come over here. Why not? I’m just saying, say whoever signs Ronaldinho is probably going to let him go after probably 3 years. After that the interest in him will be so low that he just might need that attention (like Beckham needed it). He gets that attention from MLS teams who see dollar signs and a great marketing tool. Ronaldinho comes to the MLS plays for a couple years and steps the MLS up another notch. Far fetched but, if you’re the MLS, what have you got to lose?

By Sean Connolly

It looks as if Manchester City, not AC Milan as first thought, will end up with Ronaldinho. Manchester City and Ronaldinho have been talking and seem to be the front runner to acquire the star from Barcelona FC. AC Milan looked to be the sure favorites to obtain Ronaldinho but have since stepped back. AC Milan now seem to have their eyes on a different star, Didier Drogba.

Chelsea has now allowed AC Milan to speak with Drogba about a possible transfer to Italy. A trade of Drogba from Chelsea to AC Milan seems very promising. AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani hints that a transfer of Drogba is imminent.

Chelsea have authorised us to open negotiations with Drogba

AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani on Didier Drogba Trade

Also rumored in the deal would be the return of Andriy Shevchenko to AC Milan but AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani says Chelsea are not willing to give up on Schevchenko just yet.

Unfortunately, the response we feared came (for Shevchenko). Chelsea consider Andriy unsellable. This epilogue makes us very sad.

AC Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani on Andriy Shevchenko Trade

AC Milan aren’t stopping at Drogba either. After Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o's desire to leave Barcelona FC, AC Milan have begun talks with the striker from Cameroon. The only thing preventing a trade of Eto’o from Barcelona to AC Milan would be his concern of playing in the UEFA Cup next season. AC Milan failed to qualify for Champion’s League and is yearning to win the cup somewhere. Galliani insisted to Eto’o that Milan will be competitive despite not being in Champion’s League.

Barcelona may want to hang on to Eto’o as it seems that Ronaldinho will be traded soon to Manchester City. Barcelona have given permission to speak with Ronaldinho and Manchester City will try their hardest to bring the Brazilian star to the English Premier League.

It’s a tenuous stage and I don’t want to give too much away, but Barcelona gave us clearance to talk to him.We had some people in Brazil last weekend, who we’ve been talking to but we have a long, long list of things we need to get done because of the type of player he is – the world’s greatest player. He wants to show the world he is the greatest player. At the moment, though, we’re just ticking off the boxes. I think the Manchester City fans, who are the most important part of this, would like to see Ronaldinho kicking off next season here.He has intimated he is interested, otherwise we wouldn’t be at the stage we are now. Ronaldinho has an interest in coming to City.

Manchester City Executive Chairman Garry Cook on Ronaldinho

Along with Ronaldinho Manchester City is going after another Brazilian. CSKA Moscow striker, Jo, is just days away from signing with Manchester City and will certainly excite fans in Manchester.

Silvio Berlusconi, President of AC Milan, has now admitted that the cost of Ronaldinho may be too high. This has led to Manchester City and AC Milan rival, Inter Milan, to get into the mix. With the cost of the 28 year old superstar is too high because there is a lot of doubt surrounding the star. The Ronaldinho trade to AC Milan has caused quite a stir, but now it seems he may be open to more clubs who are willing to spend a great deal of cash. Here’s what SIlvio Berlusconi had to say about the transfer of Ronaldinho…

We still want him and we know he wants to come to Milan. But Barcelona have asked for a price which we feel is excessive.

Ronaldinho has had his worst season yet as he riddled with injuries and his fitness level has not been up to par. The uncertainty of Ronaldinho playing throughout a season is the main concern. He has only played 13 of Barcelona’s 30 games this year and will me the rest of the games. Who would pay so much for only 13 games a season?

I think Manchester City will take the risk of bringing in Ronaldinho. With young Kasper Schmeichel in goal for the next couple of seasons, Manchester City could have a solid young team in their hands. An addition of a superstar like Ronaldinho could bring them up to the top of the premiership table.