"You can have 40 bids, but in the end what counts is the desire of the player," said Begiristain. "The player plays where he wants and in this case it must be recognized that Ronnie has given up some things to move to Milan.

"Ronaldinho gave up 15 per cent of the transfer fee he was entitled.

"We have managed to keep all three parties happy. We are happy because he made us happy and now he is happy."