AC Milan confirm interest in Ronaldo

ROME, Jan 17 (Reuters) AC Milan have confirmed they are interested in signing Brazilian striker Ronaldo from Real Madrid, the club's vice-president said today.

''The idea exists, I can't deny it. Now we are waiting to see what Real Madrid say,'' Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying on La Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

Italian newspapers today suggested Ronaldo's agent Fabiano Farah and Milan had already reached agreement on a salary of 6.0 million euros (.75 million) per season, but that Real's demand for a transfer payment represented a sticking point in the deal.

According to Galliani, Milan were not prepared to spend large amounts of money to bring the three-times FIFA World Player of the Year back to Serie A, where he played with Milan's arch-rivals Inter Milan between 1997 and 2001.

''The idea is very simple - it is not a loan deal and the contract involves a salary lower than the one I've been reading about in today's papers,'' said Galliani.

''The offer is to take over the contract (from Real) at zero cost.'' Ronaldo, 30, is out of favour at Real where he has been criticised by coach Fabio Capello for being overweight, out of shape and lacking in commitment.

AC Milan, who have been looking for a reliable goalscorer since Andriy Shevchenko departed for Chelsea at the end of last season, are ninth in Serie A, 28 points behind leaders Inter.

Reuters SAM DB1850