Laporta: Ronaldinho will cost 40 million euros

Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists Ronaldinho will not leave the Nou Camp on the cheap.


The injured Brazil playmaker's future has been the subject of much debate following a below-par season for Frank Rijkaard's team.


AC Milan are the front-runners for the 28-year-old's signature, but Laporta does not plan to let the player go for less than 40 million euros.


"I only say that Ronaldinho is worth more than 40 million euros," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.


"We have had many offers from England, but Milan is the team who have showed the best interest."


Ronaldinho's contract with the Catalan giants runs to 2010, however, and Laporta claims his departure is by no means a done deal.


"He has never created the slightest problem and I'm sure he will return to how he was before as soon as he is well," added the president.


"He just needs to find fresh motivation, but it is not a foregone conclusion that he has to leave because he can find this with us, given that his contract runs until 2010."