Ronaldinho is not needed at Milan, club owner Silvio Berlusconi said, but Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini should sign for the club.

Ronaldinho is not needed at AC Milan, club owner Silvio Berlusconi said on Sunday, but Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini should sign a four-year-deal with the club on Monday.

Milan had agreed personal terms with Ronaldinho's agent but have said Barcelona's price of 40 million euros (£31 million) for the Brazil forward is too much.

Their pursuit of Ronaldinho intensified during Berlusconi's recent election campaign, where he won a third term as Italian prime minister, but now Milan's interest has cooled.

"I have always been doubtful over whether Ronaldinho is needed, at this point I really think we don't need him," Berlusconi said as he left the San Siro after Milan beat derby rivals Inter 2-1.

Milan's victory moved them up to fourth spot in Serie A, the final Champions League qualifying place, and meant Inter will have to wait another week for a victory which would seal a third successive Italian title.

Frenchman Flamini, soon out of contract at Arsenal and also courted by Juventus, is arriving in Milan later on Sunday.

"If he passes the medical, tomorrow he will be a Milan player. Players want to come to Milan, of this there is no doubt," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani told reporters, adding later that Flamini would sign a four-year contract.

Reuters