( CNN ) -- Former world player of the year Ronaldinho will return home to Brazil , according to his Italian club AC Milan . The 30-year-old has been targeted by the new owners of English Premier League club Blackburn Rovers , but he is now expected to rejoin his hometown club Gremio of Porto Alegre . `` We are all sorry to lose a player of the quality of Ronaldinho . But he has made a life choice by going to Brazil , '' AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters ahead of the resumption of the Serie A program on Thursday . Ronaldinho is contracted to Milan until June , but is heading back to Rio de Janeiro as the two clubs seek to make a deal , according to Italian media . Who will be the best deals of the January sales ? `` If it were up to me , I would already be wearing the shirt of Gremio , even if at the cost of earning less . The problem is not what they offered me , but what Milan are asking for , '' he said in quotes reported by La Gazetta Della Sport . If Gremio can not agree a fee , then Brazilian rivals Flamengo will step in to sign Ronaldinho , according to Radio Globo . He has been unable to resurrect his career since leaving Barcelona in 2008 , losing his regular place this season following the arrival of compatriot Robinho and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic . Ronaldinho 's place in the Milan squad has gone to Italy international Antonio Cassano , but Allegri said the former Sampdoria player was not certain to feature even as a substitute in the league leaders ' trip to Cagliari . Blackburn chase Ronaldinho and Beckham . The other big story of the January transfer window , David Beckham 's proposed loan move to English club Tottenham , still remains in doubt . However , British media widely reported on Wednesday that his American owners the LA Galaxy will sanction an off-season switch . Tottenham 's Premier League rivals Newcastle , who have also been linked with the 35-year-old former England captain along with Blackburn , tied up a permanent deal for France international Hatem Ben Arfa . The 23-year-old winger had been on loan from Marseille , but is now contracted until mid-2015 after impressing before the double leg break he suffered in October . `` During my time out , I have been inundated with messages of support from fans and I want to repay them all with good performances on the pitch later this season , '' he told the club 's website . Manchester City 's long-rumored signing of Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko took another step forward as the Wolfsburg player arrived in England for a medical . City boss Roberto Mancini revealed on Tuesday that the German club had agreed to sell the 24-year-old , for a reported fee of around $ 40 million . Romania striker Adrian Mutu may be seeking a new club after his Italian side Fiorentina threatened to take action following his training-ground walkout on Wednesday . The club released a statement saying the 31-year-old would not play in Thursday 's match against Bologna , and that he had left himself liable for possible legal action . Mutu has twice been banned for drug use , while with English club Chelsea in 2004 and last year at Fiorentina .
Italian Serie A leaders leave Ronaldinho to join a club in his native Brazil . The year - old wants to return to his former club Gremio if a deal can be agreed . Milan coach asks if new striker Antonio Cassano will join Cagliari on Thursday . English club Newcastle sign on - loan France winger Hatem Ben Arfa on a permanent deal .