Ronaldinho will refuse all Premier League offers to play for AC Milan in Serie A, his brother and agent claims.

By Vincent Lai (espnstar.com) 

The Brazilian playmaker has been told he is not needed at the Nou Camp by incoming boss Josep Guardiola after a dreadful season with Barcelona last term.

Both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in the services of the 28-year-old, but Ronaldinho is adamant that his career can be revived at the San Siro.

Ronaldinho's agent Roberto De Assis said: "My brother isn't in the new coach's plans."

"Everyone has the right to create the team as they want but we have a contract with Barcelona."

"If they want to sell the player they have to come to an agreement with us and with the club who wants to buy him," added De Assis. "I can confirm that Ronaldinho would go very willingly to Milan."

Ronaldinho's brother concluded, "It hasn't already happened because there have been problems between the two clubs, probably at an economic level, but there's still time to come to an agreement - at least until August 31."

Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has said that it would be ideal if Ronaldinho could be lured to the blue half of Manchester, to spearhead the Citizens' attempt to break into the Champions League.

Shinawatra is said to have given new boss Mark Hughes the green light to sign the midfield wonder, whatever the cost.

Incoming Chelsea boss and former Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is also a big supporter of the Samba ace, have been in close contact with Ronaldinho since coaching him in 2002 with Brazil.

However, Milan looks the most likely destination for Ronaldinho, and De Assis has confirmed that the Rossoneri are first in line for the Brazil international's signature.

"The possibility that Ronaldinho will play in the red and black shirt next year is still there and is the same as a few months ago," said De Assis in an interview. "Nothing has changed. We know that Milan like Ronaldinho and that Ronaldinho likes Milan.

"We will continue to work to bring the best player in the world to the best club in the world."

"We have always had a good relationship with Milan and have always been in contact."

"We're only talking to Milan, we've never heard from Inter or Juventus out of respect for the Rossoneri."

"England? We're looking around but it's still too soon to decide. Anyway, there's time until August 31 to find the right solution."

"For now my brother is only working on finding his best form and going to play for the national team as a key player."

"He wants to show all his worth after the latest nonsense that has been said about him."

"He's doing very well and it's not true that lately in Barcelona he was leading a life that an athlete shouldn't."