Thierry Henry's future at Arsenal has never been so insecure as the Frenchman openly expressed his delight at being targeted by AC Milan.

The European Champions have confirmed their intent to make an offer for Henry, who is also interested Barcelona and apparently Liverpool and it seems that the star striker is keen on the prospect of returning to Italy where he failed to make a success with Juventus.

Henry's only attempts to reassure Arsenal was to stress that he is still their player, but the ususal passionate pledges to star at the club were not to be seen as he expressed his sadness at the loss of former director David Dein, who left the club in April.

Thierry Henry yesterday added to the feeling of uncertainty at Arsenal by admitting that interest in his services from Milan was flattering and said he was "devastated" that David Dein, the former vice-chairman, left the club.

"It's great to hear [the Milan interest]," Henry said. "How can you not think that? On the other side as I said many times at the moment, I'm an Arsenal player.

"A lot of stuff happened at the club recently that wasn't supposed to happen. In terms of the departure of Mr Dein, the bosses have been unsettled and a lot of players have been unsettled. So the only thing I can tell you is right now I'm an Arsenal player but hearing that is nice, I can't deny it."

Regarding Dein, Henry added in an interview with Soccernet: "I was devastated [when he left]. Everybody who knows Mr Dein, knows he loves football. He knew everybody at the stadium, whether you play for the youth team or you clean the dressing room.

"He used to turn up if it was raining, snowing, windy, to watch the Under-17s, the Under-19s, the reserves - everybody - on his own at the training ground and one person that I wouldn't have liked to leave the board, would have been Mr Dein. Arsène [Wenger] and Mr Dein - although no one is bigger than the club - are really close to being Arsenal.

"But I would like to say that whatever happened, Mr Dein leaving wasn't a clever move. But it's out of my hands, I'm not up there. I don't know what happened, and I don't want to know what happened."

Arsenal's other superstar Cesc Fabregas has also spoken of how unsettled he is in an interview this week as it seem Arsenal are set for a long and hard summer.

Milan are ready to spend over £70m to bring Barcelona star Ronaldinho to the San Siro, according to the Spanish Press.

The Brazilian has yet to renew his contract with the Blaugrana and reports suggest that he might leave the Nou Camp if the Catalan outfit lose the Liga title race to rivals Real Madrid.

Marca claims that President Silvio Berlusconi has put aside £70m for the former Paris-SG ace, whose contract expires in 2010, as he hopes to see a Ronaldo, Kaka and Ronaldinho trident next term.

Spanish newspapers also reported a growing rift between the South American and his teammates, as confirmed by his refusal to attend the 2-2 draw with Espanyol last week and the fact that he walked out of training.

The player, who is once again on Milan’s wish list after teammate Samuel Eto’o stated that he would not leave Barcelona, preferred not to comment.

“Now I want to go on holiday, I will think about the future when I return,” Ronaldinho told El Mundo Deportivo.

Real Madrid transfer consultant Ernesto Bronzetti believes that a move is unlikely, mainly because of the player’s sponsorship deals.

“I don’t think Barca will sell Ronaldinho, his sponsors want him to stay in Spain,” said the football agent.

“He is sponsored by Nike and they already have Ronaldo at Milan. If it were only up to the player, things would be different,” added Bronzetti.

In the meantime, Berlusconi admitted that Milan have made an enquiry for Chelsea star Didier Drogba, but the Blues turned down the offer stating that the Ivory Coast captain is not for sale.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti talked about the Rossoneri's transfer campaign, but insists the club already have a solid basis on which to build.

Carlo Ancelotti is enjoying a vacation at Porto Venere, but could not avoid talking about his Milan's transfer campaign. The coach appeared to be serene and completely trustful of the management's decisions.

"The club are working hard to make this team even more competitive," he said. "Milan have to buy great players, but I think we already have a good basis to be competitive next season."

The tactician spoke about Eto'o, after more rumours linking Milan with the Cameroon international.

"He is a great striker, but is owned by Barcelona," he said.

"If there would be the possibility of buying him, I think we would be first in line. He would be a very good element to ensure our future."

The discussion inevitably went to Alberto Gilardino: "I think Gilardino will do much better because he will have one more year of experience and confidence in his abilities."

Reports In Italy suggest that midfielder Ibrahim Ba has just signed a one year contract with Milan.

French midfielder Ibrahim Ba, 34, has supposedly agreed a one year contract with Milan. There are some details that need to be ironed out, including Ancelotti's final approval, following which he will undergo a medical, and sign on the dotted line.

"I am very happy," said 'Ibou'. "I always got on well at Milan, remain close to everyone there, and have worked hard in these months hoping to have another chance."

"I would be so pleased to come back, but it has to be good for everyone and not cause any problems for the coach.

"I hope he will want me in the squad."

'Ibou' has already spent four years as a Milan player, between 1997 and 2003, interrupted by two loan spells. The first was at Perugia (1999-2000) and the second at Marseille (2001-02).

He joined Milan from Bordeaux in 1997 as a great talent, but never quite lived up to his promise. He finally left for Bolton Wanderers in 2003, at the age of 30.

The right-sided midfielder played 56 games for the Rossoneri, scoring one goal.

This current move comes as a big surprise, given that he was playing with Serie C side Varses last season.

It is seen as a goodwill gesture from the club, a chance for him to go out on a high, after he agreed to a 'token' contract worth just 200,000 euros (Andriy Shevchenko earns that money in a week, to put it into perspective).

It does bring to the fore, once again, Milan's soft spot for ageing players.

The vice-President of the Rossoneri declared that there is the possibility that no new striker is bought by Milan this summer, despite the fact that the club has been linked to various big names in recent weeks.

Adriano Galliani wanted to make it clear for all Milan fans that there is the possibility that despite the various names circulating around in the media, the Rossoneri might end up with no purchased striker this summer.

"I don't want to delude our fans. It's possible that someone arrives, but also that no one arrives, whereas all our important players will remain," thus confirming that Alberto Gilardino will not be sold.

Galliani, however, confirmed that if a player does arrive, it will be one of those currently making the headlines in the newspapers.

"If there will be the need to strengthen the attack, the names are those which you already know.

"In the Milan side of next season, there will be Ronaldo, who will also be able to play in the Champions League, Pippo Inzaghi, Gilardino and Oliveira."

Still, Milan are expected to be in the driver's seat for the purchase of an important striker: probably either Eto`o' or Henry.

After failing to snatch David Suazo away from Inter, the Rossoneri are looking to make amends by signing another big-name hitman.

If it ends up like this, with David Suazo joining Inter, what will Milan do to make amends? It's a question the fans are asking themselves, but also the management. A great striker seems necessary to reinforce the Rossoneri's strikeforce, which at the moment consists of Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Oliveira, and Gilardino, and president Silvio Berlusconi has admitted he is looking to sign a big name for Milan's transfer campaign.

So who will join Ancelotti's court? Most probably the Samuel Eto'o option is still open. In the last few days the player has reiterated his love for the club, but we are in the summer and we know how easily summer love tends to fade away...

The point is that Eto'o's position has not been made easier by the arrival of Thierry Henry, and also his relationship with coach Frank Rijkaard has not improved in the slightest. Therefore he might be on the lookout for other solutions. Eto'o demands 8 million euros a season, which is an unreachable amount for Milan, as they would have to change the other big name players' salaries. Only if the Cameroonian lowers his demands, will it be possible to start a negotiation.

Still, they would have to convince Barcelona to sell the player, and president Laporta does not seem particularly keen to do that. However, it seems tough to imagine one of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi and Henry accepting a place on the bench, and keeping all four would inevitably create difficult situations to handle for Rijkaard.

With Eto'o Milan's primary objective, there are also other options the European Champions are considering. One of these is Didier Drogba. But will Abramovich's Chelsea let go of their colossus? Very difficult, although the player himself recently admitted he would be open to a move to Milan. Still he would be a very expensive player, both to buy and to pay. As well as Eto'o, he would remain unavailable for two months due to the African Cup of Nations tournament.

Berlusconi's pupil Andriy Shevchenko would probably be easier to lure away from the club, since Drogba is also a favorite of coach Jose Mourinho. In this case the Ukrainian champ would have to reduce his paycheck considerably and Chelsea would also have to lower their demands for him.

Finally, it's not to be excluded that Milan might go for a solution "closer to home": Inter's Brazilian striker Adriano. After two disappointing seasons, the Rossoneri might believe the player could be revived as they have done before for other ex-Inter stars like Seedorf, Pirlo, and Brocchi. The "Emperor" is also a known favorite of coach Ancelotti and transfer gurus Ariedo Braida and Adriano Galliani.

Goal.com

Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has made the surprising admission that Ronaldo is the best player he has ever coached.

The pair failed to get on in their brief spell together at the Bernabeu, and Ronaldo was quickly offloaded to Milan in January after becoming frustrated with a lack of starts.

The Brazilian has since been highly critical of Capello, and in the weeks before Real won the title last Sunday, he said: "I hope Real Madrid win the League but only for the sake of my old team-mates, not for the coach, who doesn’t deserve it."

Such utterances would surely have enraged Capello, whose future at the club is far from certain.

But he said: "Ronaldo needed a change of scenery to rediscover his motivation. He is the best player I have ever coached."

Capello also spoke about Antonio Cassano who has rarely featured for the club this season.

"He is an undeniable talent, but that is not enough to play a key role in a team and play regularly," Capello told Sky Italia.

Goal.com

Silvio Berlusconi has offered a view diametrically opposite to those of Adriano Galliani and Carlo Ancelotti, who had both insisted that they would prefer to sign Samuel Eto'o over Ronaldinho.

"Sheva is a player who still has a lot to give," he told Sky Italia during an interview.

"He has been Milan's best goalscorer of the last 50 years, and I think he can play as a second striker, behind Ronaldo."

"I would thus make him the first option for Milan to sign.

"As for Etóo and Ronaldinho, both would be great, but I have a personal preference for spectacular football, and for that reason, I would like Ronaldinho."

"However, the president of Barcelona has already told me if he sold Ronaldinho, he would have to go into exile," Berlusconi reiterated.

"For that reason, I think that even though we have a very good offer for him ready, it is unlikely that we will get the nod."

Samuel Eto'o is placed closer to the Barcelona exit door according to various media sources, though Barcelona insist that they will keep all their stars.

Goal.com

The Rossoneri are trying to land the Manchester United forward, after the Red Devils signed Carlos Tevez from West Ham.

Milan are still searching for a quality striker in order to complete the forward line ahead of next season, and amongst the usual names of Ronaldinho, Eto`o’, Shevchenko and Pato, there is a new name circulating in the transfer rumours.

The new name is Giuseppe Rossi, who is considered as the hottest prospect in Italian football, and his performances for Parma last season prove this.

The Gialloblu have already offered 8.5 million Euros to Manchester United for the young forward, but reports from Italy are suggesting that the Rossoneri have taken the driver's seat in this race as they offered the Red Devils 11 million for the services of the Italian under 21 national team player.

On Friday, the Gialloblu's President, Ghirardi, had revealed that there was a strong Italian opponent in their bid to sign Rossi, but had not mentioned the name of the club. Now the mystery has been solved.

Goal.com

Gattuso Wants Captain's Armband

The Milan midfielder wants to be the new Rossoneri's captain once Paolo Maldini decides to retire from the club.

Gennaro Gattuso has sent his candidature to be the new Milan captain, as the Italian international midfielder declared that he is ready to take the responsibilities to help lead the Rossoneri.

"If they had to ask me, I would take the responsibility to be the captain of Milan," confirmed Gattuso who will be starting his ninth season for the Rossoneri following his experiences with Perugia, Glasgow Rangers and Salernitana.

His main 'competitor' for this role is Massimo Ambrosini, who last season wore the captain's armband when Paolo Maldini was not available, but in the past, President Silvio Berlusconi had already stated his desire to see 'Ringhio' captain Milan to more success.

With the Rossoneri, Gattuso won everything there was to win, including three Champions League trophies and one Serie A title.

Goal.com

Emerson has been told he can leave Real Madrid and the Brazilian admits he’s determined to join Milan.

“The four players I am thinking of for my midfield are Fernando Gago, Mahamadou Diarra, Ruben De la Red and Jose Luis Guti,” said new boss Bernd Schuster.

“The club knows that the door is open for Emerson to leave. Fabio Capello requested him and he is perfect for his style of play, but I have other ideas. I hope another figure arrives instead, someone more creative.”

‘Puma’ was brought to Madrid by Capello, who worked with him at both Roma and Juventus, so the future seems to be a return to Italy.

“I am ready to evaluate offers that come my way. Money is not everything in life,” Emerson told ‘Radio Gaucha’ in Brazil.

“Everything is difficult at Real Madrid. I am in the richest club in the world, but there is far more organisation at Milan.

“It all works like clockwork with the Rossoneri, both on and off the field. You never hear controversy, everyone wants to play for Milan.”

The experience in Spain has not left Emerson with a positive view of the Madrid hierarchy, who fired Capello days after winning a seemingly impossible Liga title.

“I paid the price for being one of Capello’s favourite players. I’ve never seen anything like it in my whole career.”

Milan's £84m Ronaldinho bid

There are reports in the Italian media that Milan President Silvio Berlusconi is ready to pay Ronaldinho’s £84m buy-out clause.

The Rossoneri have made no secret of the fact he is their number one transfer target, but also confirmed publicly that Barcelona have no intention of selling him.

With this in mind, it seems that media mogul and former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi is willing to break the bank to get his hands on the holder of two FIFA World Player of the Year awards.

The buy-out clause on Ronaldinho’s contract is a staggering £84m, but having had a frugal transfer campaign so far and with the Champions League victory bringing in new funds, the sacrifice is not impossible.

The Brazilian arrived back in Spain for pre-season training today and spoke enthusiastically of Thierry Henry’s signing.

“I feel great and can’t wait to get back to work,” he said. “We have made some high class signings and the issue of how we will all co-exist is for the Coach to work out.”

Frank Rijkaard has hinted he will try to use Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o and Henry in the same line-up, but this could unbalance the side.

It is rumoured that Ronaldinho has privately already reached an agreement over contract terms with Milan, ranging from wages to benefits and sponsorship deals.

Barcelona President Joan Laporta would be willing to sell for a high figure, but getting Milan to pay the full buy-out clause would ‘protect’ him from angry fans.

“President Laporta told me he would have to leave the country if he sold Ronaldinho,” revealed Berlusconi recently.

MILAN - A.C.Milan announces the purchase of the Brazilian midfielder Emerson Ferreira da Rosa from Real Madrid.
ACMilan.com

Milan Seal 5 Million Emerson Deal

After FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti managed to smooth the way this morning, AC Milan and Real Madrid agreed a 5 million euro price for Emerson.

Emerson's move to Milan has now become official, with vice-president Adriano Galliani declaring on the club's website: "Milan communicate that they have signed Emerson from Real Madrid on a permanent basis."

The on-again, off-again move has finally been completed after work from agent Erneto Bronzetti.

FIFA-licensed Bronzetti managed this morning managed to convince Madrid to sell the Brazilian to Milan for a fee of 5 million euros. Originally, Madrid president Ramon Calderon wanted a higher sum in exchange for the out-of-favour Brazilian.

Milan have been looking to reinforce their midfield ever since the Moscow tournament, in which they drew against PSV and went down 3-1 against Lokomotiv before coming back to draw 3-3 in a rather end-to-end game.

It was evident there that the midfield did not have the depth required of a top team - not enough quality to suitably replace the likes of Pirlo, Gattuso, and Seedorf.

Emerson and Barcelona's Thiago Motta had been the two names doing the rounds and, while the latter seems to be staying at the Nou Camp for now, the former is finally a Rossonero... and about time, too.

Madrid president Ramon Calderon marked Emerson's Bernabeu exit earlier this summer, earmarking the former Juventus man as one of the transfer-listed players.

Emerson, also known as "The Puma", only arrived in Madrid last summer following Juventus' relegation, and cost the club 16 million euros.

Goal.com

CAPELLO: "Emerson, a very good purchase"

MILAN - The Corriere dello Sport-Stadio, reported this commented made by Fabio Capello at Budapest: "Bet on Emerson. Milan made a very good purchase because Emerson is a champion who can still give a lot. His physical problems? They're gone. A year ago, during his start of the Real Madrid adventure he had some problems, but then he recovered very well. Emerson is a complete midfielder, able to interpret perfectly all of the midfield roles."

ACMilan.com

There are growing rumours in both Italy and Spain, that Azzurri skipper Fabio Cannavaro could be sold to AC Milan before the end of the transfer window closes this Friday.

The 33-year-old centreback has repeated on many occasions already this summer that he has his heart set on staying at Real Madrid, but according to the latest reports a last-minute transfer cannot be ruled out.

Juventus failed to make much headway in their bid to secure the services of Cannavaro, but AC Milan are said to hold the best cards despite having entered the frame late.

Madrid’s official line is that the World Cup winner and current World Player of the Year is not for sale, but word is that an offer in the region of 7m euros could change that stance very quickly.

The player continues to hold down a first team place at Real Madrid for now, though he was once again heavily criticised for his poor defensive display during the 5-3 Spanish Super Cup second leg defeat to Sevilla.

The win over Atletico Madrid has created a much more positive environment, but the sheer criticism heaped after every defeat has left the Azzurri skipper disenchanted.

It is understood that should Milan and Real Madrid agree terms, he would give his nod.

Goal.com