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Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani has rejected suggestions that they are lining up an £85m bid for Ronaldinho.

At the end of the team’s first summer friendly against Lecco, Galliani answered the inevitable questions on the club’s interest in Ronaldinho. And his response was very clear: “The deal is impossible, so let’s stop joking.

“This story must end, I understand that papers need to please the readers, but now it’s enough.”

Nonetheless, Galliani’s denial may not correspond to the Via Turati club’s real intentions.

President Silvio Berlusconi is not willing to abandon the idea of signing the Brazilian star and Milan’s qualification to the Champions League group stage will be fundamental for the beginning of any negotiation with the 26-year-old Barcelona striker.

Galliani was also satisfied with the 2-0 win over Lecco ahead of next week’s Champions League qualifying match against Red Star Belgrade.

“The team seems fairly fit, also in consideration of the fact that we started our pre-season very late and had to review our plans after the appeal verdicts,” said Galliani.

“I am satisfied about this test, everyone has been working hard and you can see the results.

“Red Star Belgrade are at a further stage in their preparation, but we still have a week to train and this match was a good chance to test our conditions.”