Milan ready to sit down and talk with Real over Ronaldo

MADRID, Jan 24 (Reuters) AC Milan are ready to sit down and talk with Real Madrid in an attempt to sign Brazil striker Ronaldo, according to the Serie A side's vice-president Adriano Galliani.

''It is true that we are interested in Ronaldo,'' Galliani was quoted as telling Punto Radio in the Spanish press today. ''We are prepared to negotiate with Real Madrid.

''Tonight (Tuesday) I spoke with (Real Madrid technical advisor Franco) Baldini and we could meet again tomorrow (Wednesday), but I don't want to discuss figures.'' Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has made it clear that the three times World Player of the Year does not feature in his plans for the side, but the club are unwilling to allow the 30-year-old to leave on a free transfer.

Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic said that Milan had not yet tabled an offer for the striker who used to play for the Serie A side's city rivals Inter.

''If we are going to close the deal I have to have an offer and up until now I've received nothing from Milan,'' he was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca. ''But Galliani's declarations lead me to understand that Milan do want Ronaldo.'' REUTERS SAM PM1444