Barcelona's Brazil star Ronaldinho set to shun Chelsea for sedate pace of Italy

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Barcelona president Joan Laporta chaired a board-level meeting yesterday to discuss a number of issues which the Catalan giants intend to address after the climax of the La Liga season this summer. And one of those was the Brazil striker's future, according to reports leaked to the Spanish press.

Laporta is considering paying up the 28-year-old's contract, which expires in 2010, and offloading the out-of-form forward - Ronaldinho was not selected for the Brazil squad to face Sweden at the Emirates - on a free transfer.

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Barca boy: Ronaldinho holds off two Celtic pursuers during a Champions League game

That news is sure to alert Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is a long-term admirer of the Brazilian and has previously attempted to broker a deal to bring Ronaldinho to Stamford Bridge - as reported by Sportsmail last August.

• MATT LAWTON EXCLUSIVE: £100m quest for Ronaldinho shows Roman's back in love with Chelsea

However, Russian billionaire Abramovich is likely to be left disappointed because the former Paris St Germain striker reportedly favours a move to Italy - in particular AC Milan - over a transfer to the Barclays Premier League.

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Missing out: Abramovich (grey sweater) has been a long-time admirer of Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho's critics - and there have been many this season - have suggested that the World Cup-winner would rather spend his salad days enjoying the sedate pace of Serie A rather than the hurly burly of England's top flight.

Still a big, fat cheque from a certain Mr R Abramovich could soon cause Ronny to change his mind.