Berlusconi has made no secret of his desire to land Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho and he told Gazzetta dello Sport yesterday: "As I am president of the board, I do not get involved in management.

"However, for the tribute we gave to (Demetrio) Albertini I spoke with Laporta and proposed an annual exchange of Kaka for Ronaldinho between the two clubs.

"And he responded to me: 'I don't think so'."

Barca vice-president Ferran Soriano declared earlier this month: "It's lacking grace. Just as they have complained about Real Madrid with Kaka, they do the same with Ronaldinho."