ROME (AFP) - Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho was close to becoming an AC Milan player on Tuesday with the Italian giants admitting that the paperwork to take 28-year-old from Barcelona was ready to be signed.

"There is a good chance that Ronaldinho's move to Milan will materialise," said Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa who had been in constant touch with Adriano Galliani, the team's vice-president involved in the negotiations.

"There are still some economic problems to sort out, but our law office has already prepared the necessary papers. I've spoken to Galliani, he was calm even though no one has put pen to paper yet. We are all waiting."

Barcelona and Milan officials held talks in the Catalan capital on Tuesday.

The Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy reported on their website that Milan will pay Barcelona 18.5 million euros (29.5 million dollars) for Ronaldinho with the figure likely to be increased by performance-related bonuses.

Barcelona have also received a 32-million-euro offer for the two-time world player of the year from English Premiership side Manchester City.

Ronaldinho, who was deemed surplus by Barcelona's new coach Pep Guardiola following a dip in form last season, reportedly favours a move to the Italian side.

He scored 70 goals in 145 appearances for Barcelona.

Barcelona said Monday that it was giving Ronaldinho "two or three days" to finalise his transfer to one of the clubs which have shown an interest in signing him.

"If the operation cannot be confirmed in this time the player will rejoin squad training," it said in a statement posted on its website.