Adriano Galliani, the AC Milan vice-president, insists the club will not pay over the odds for Ronaldinho, the Barcelona forward.

There has been no shortage of interest for the two-time Fifa world player of the year with Manchester City having already held detailed discussions with the Brazilian, whilst Chelsea have also been linked.

Galliani claims AC Milan are leading the pack, although he insists a deal will only be completed if the price is right. "It seems to me that Ronaldinho has placed Milan at the top of his desires, even if Chelsea has a lot of appeal," he said. "We have to see how much the final cost will be, the transfer and then his signing-on fee. But I don't promise anything to the fans.

"In any case in attack we already have Marco Borriello, Filippo Inzaghi, Kaka, Alexandre Pato. If we can get someone else then good, if not we'll stay how we are. We're already competitive.

"I'm not happy not making big signings, I'm a fan too, but a big transfer will only be done if there's the right conditions. Players who cost, between wages and other things, €20 million (approximately £16 million) a year, aren't compatible with Italian clubs' bank balances."

Galliani has also dismissed the prospect of Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea's former AC Milan star, returning to the San Siro. "If Sheva comes to Italy, he comes to us," he said. "He was one of our targets but we have been told that he is not for sale."