The Telegraph says two meetings have already been held at which Ronaldinho's potential transfer to Eastlands has been discussed. At the first, which was held on April 5 after the match against Chelsea, Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto de Assis shared a meal at a Thai restaurant with City executive director Taweesuk Jack Srisumrid.

At that meeting, it is understood that a deal was verbally agreed in principle. Days later, Ronaldinho's future was raised at a meeting in Barcelona which included the club's vice president Marc Ingla and the agent Pini Zahavi, who was in Spain for talks about his client Giovanni Dos Santos. Despite Ronaldinho's recent decline, Barcelona would still want around £20 million for a player who was valued in excess of £50 million 12 months ago and has two years remaining on his contract. De Assis has agreed personal terms for Ronaldinho with AC Milan, but the two clubs have yet to agree a transfer fee.