Ronaldinho is set to close the door on his AC Milan career after leaving their winter training camp in Dubai, coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Brazil international has returned to his homeland to re-join formative club Gremio, having fallen out of favour at Milan this season.
“We are waiting for his departure to become official,” Allegri told Sky Italia.
“Maybe there was a lack of willingness on his part.
“I was convinced that Ronaldinho could have a great season. He started well, with a balanced side, but then everyone has to take their own responsibility.”
Ronaldinho joined Milan from Barcelona in 2008 but despite occasional flurries of his best form he lost his place in the starting XI after Milan signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho last summer.
Earlier reports said AC Milan were willing to sell out of favour Brazilian star Ronaldinho for a price tage of £6.8 million.
“Whoever wants Ronaldinho has to pay eight million euros,” said Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani after meeting with the player’s agent, it has been reported.
Ronaldinho is in Dubai on AC Milan’s winter training tour and has six months remaining of his contract at the San Siro.
Gremio are reportedly keen to bring the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain star back to the club where he first started his career.
The Porto Alegre outfit believed they would be able to secure the 30-year-old on a free transfer in January.
However Galliani has insisted Ronaldinho will not be leaving unless their valuation is met.
The fate of Ronaldinho has cast a cloud over AC Milan’s preparations for the restart of the Italian Serie A campaign.
Ronaldino arrived in Milan from Barcelona in a three-year deal, but has found himself on the fringes of the team since Massimiliano Allegri took over as coach in June following the exit of Brazilian coach Leonardo.
The arrival of Antonio Cassano from Sampdoria to the squad will push him further down the pecking order.
He has been named in Milan's starting line-up for their Emirates Challenge Cup match against Al Ahli on Sunday.
Earlier, Allegri insisted Ronaldinho remains a Milan player.
“There has been some speculation regarding Ronaldinho, but as long as the player is going to be playing for AC Milan, he will be a Milan player,” said Allegri.
There had been reports earlier that UAE could be one of the destinations for Ronaldinho and Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italy captain who plays for Al Ahli, has encouraged the Brazilian to consider such a proposal.
“There are lots of opportunities for good players here and I would certainly advice Ronaldinho to come over to Dubai.”
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
