Manchester City have lost out to Italian side AC Milan in the race to sign Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho.

“AC Milan and Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle over the transfer of Ronaldinho,” the Serie A club said on their website.

“The player will be in Milan on Wednesday to undergo a medical and sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until 30 June 2011.”

City had reportedly bid £25.5m for the 28-year-old Brazilian.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes believes they should be given credit for launching their bold move to bring the Brazil superstar to the Premier League.

He said: ?I think we have shown a willingness to bring Ronaldinho here and should be complemented for that. In the end though it will be the player?s decision.?

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported on its website that Milan will pay Spanish side Barcelona just £14.6m for his services, with the figure likely to be increased by performance-related bonuses.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has been in Barcelona for talks with the club and the player for two days.

The two-time Fifa World Player of the Year’s time at Barcelona effectively came to an end in June when new manager Pep Guardiola announced the playmaker was surplus to requirements.

Nevertheless, the Catalans were not prepared to release Ronaldinho to join Dunga’s Brazil squad for next month’s Beijing Olympics.

City will be disappointed at their failure to pull off what would have been a major coup, despite the heavy financial and footballing risks involved in completing the deal.

But their determined effort to sign Ronaldinho has offered a clear indication of the financial muscle available to new boss Hughes from owner Dr Thaksin Shinawatra.

Reports suggest that Ronaldo’s negotiating team were ultimately uinimpressed by a financial package from City that was heavily weighted with clauses relating to performance, success and marketing.

City had also hoped their signing on Ronaldinho’s fellow countryman Jo in a deal that could eventually be worth £19m would have been a signal of their intent and lured him to Eastlands, but he has decided to move to Milan.

Ronaldinho helped Barcelona win back-to-back Spanish league titles (2004-05, 2005-06) and the Champions League in 2006, but failed to cement a regular place in the starting XI last season because of injury and fitness issues.

Ref from BBC SPORTS

Arsenal have completed the signing of Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old, who made two appearances as a substitute for France during Euro 2008, has signed a “long-term” contract with the Gunners.

He said: “This is a very important step in my life as a footballer because Arsenal is a massive club.”

Manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s website: “He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player.”

Although no details of the fee were announced by the Gunners, Nasri is reported to have cost £12m.

Nasri, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane, joined Marseille as a nine-year-old and made his league debut during the 2004-2005 season.

He can play on either wing or through the centre and won the French First Division’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2006/2007 campaign, as well as being voted Marseille’s Player of the Year by supporters.

He added: “Arsene has a great reputation and he is one of the best managers in the world. He has proved that he puts a lot of confidence in the young players and he gives them a chance.

“It was very important for me to have such a great manager to work with and I’m really looking forward to working with both Arsene Wenger and all my new team-mates.

“I can play in the centre or on the wing. During my career, I have played behind one or two strikers or on the left, or the right hand side.”

Last season he scored six goals in 30 games for the French outfit, his final strike in a 4-3 win over Strasbourg helping secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Nasri appeared at various youth international levels for France before winning the first of seven senior caps in 2007.

And he could fill the gap created if Alexander Hleb, whose future remains uncertain after he held talks over a possible move to Barcelona, leaves the club.

Wenger has already lost midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who joined AC Milan on a free transfer, while striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains a target for the Italian giants.

Ref from BBC SPORT

Recently-installed Valencia coach Unai Emery is confident that both David Silva and David Villa will be available for selection when he begins the new season at the Mestalla…

Villa and Silva, two of Valencia’s brightest stars, have been linked with transfers elsewhere after enjoying some spectacular matches at Euro 2008.

Emery, though, is convinced that the two still have a role to play for Los Che.

“They’ll play a significant part,” he said. “The club has already told me this.

“I’m convinced that they’ll remain an important part of Valencia CF. They’ll be Valencia players of important stature.”

The Basque coach concluded by saying that he was “ready and able” to lead Los Che back to the top half.

“The most important thing is that Valencia wants to return to winning ways… we’re going to work and focus on making it possible.”

Ref from Steve Michaels, Goal.com