Gremio confirm talks with Reds target

Brazilian giants Gremio have dealt a hammer blow to Liverpool's hopes of snapping up AC Milan forward Ronaldinho after the immortals announced club officials were in talks to re-sign their former talisman.

The Samba star left the club in 2001 after spending three seasons at the Olimpico Monumental, before signing for French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain.

Since moving to Europe Ronaldinho has established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation winning the World Player of the Year title on two occasions.

But after leaving La Liga giants Barcelona, Ronaldinho, 30, has struggled to make an impact at AC Milan finding it difficult to hold down a regular first team place.

In the last few weeks the Barclays Premier League duo of Manchester City and Liverpool has been linked with a move for the veteran Brazilian, with Roy Hodgson reportedly considering a January raid for the tricky forward, while Manchester City were willing to match his £6.3 million a year wage demands.

Despite interest from the English pair, Ronaldinho's former club are now frontrunners for his signature.

"He told us he wants to return. Ronaldinho feels that he owes our club something," said Gremio President Paulo Odone in Zero Hora.

"He told us he wants to return to Gremio and end his career where it started. There are conversations going on and a very good chance that the move will go
through."

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