Reds receive boost in Ronaldinho chase

AC Milan have moved a step closer to losing Brazilian Ronaldinho after president Silvio Berlusconi criticising him for not 'training as well as he can'.

It emerged last week Liverpool and Manchester City were interested in bringing him to the Barclays Premier League but Brazilian Serie A side Gremio revealed they have spoken to his representatives.

Ronaldinho, who was linked with a move to Manchester United before he landed at Barcelona, has just half a year to run on his contract at the San Siro and therefore can speak to other teams after January.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is looking into attacking signings to complement Fernando Torres at Anfield and the 30-year-old is one of the options.

Milan today announced they have agreed to sign another Liverpool target, Antonio Cassano, and it looks likely Ronaldinho will be allowed to leave.

However, one sticking point for Liverpool will be wages because new Anfield owners NESV are unwilling to commit to big numbers for over 30s.

Manchester City, though, will have no such qualms as his current earnings of around £120,000 per week are the norm at Eastlands.

Berlusconi, after revealing his club's new signing, said: "It is a shame for Ronaldinho. At the moment, he has not been playing well or training as well as he can."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.