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So it was no surprise that Don Garber stated last week that MLS meal ticket Landon Donovan wasn't leaving and that the league wouldn't accept any offers for him, many thought it was just posturing to drive up the price of such a transfer, but we still have no idea what the real deal was. I wrote yesterday about what the truth of that matter is, and last week we talked about the rumors (when a MLS owner says something is going to happen is it still a rumor?) of Ronaldinho coming to MLS and joining the LA Galalxy. That has been picked up all over the place, but you know the first place it was reported was right here.
So today Silvio Berlusconi, and if you think "the Don" has power, Silvio is not only the owner of AC Milan but he is the Prime Minister of Italy said the following (after the jump):
Silvio Berlusconi as quoted by fifa.com:
AC Milan will never transfer Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, declared club owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday.
"Ronaldinho is not transferable and we're all in agreement that he will remain at Milan as long as he continues to play," said Berlusconi during a press conference. "I've not spoken to him recently, but it is certain that we will be renewing his contract and that he'll stay [at Milan] as long as he continues to play. I consider him the best player of all time.
It make you wonder if "the Don" and Silvio have been talking on the phone, as their comments are very similar. So if as so many people were trying to convince me that Don was just "playing politics" one has to wonder if the Prime Minister of Italy is doing the same thing.
Would either of these men tell a player who wants to leave their organization "No" , what would be the cost of having a player who doesn't want to be there anymore?
Within the last hour this random tweet came from GrantWahl:
Buzz in Jo'burg at end of World Cup was LA Galaxy was extremely interested in Ronaldinho. But: MLS team has never paid transfer fee for DP.
Ah the drama of transfer season. Perhaps the greatest soap opera on the planet, but this time with real people, real money, and fans all really living the drama.
Anyhow thought I would keep you updated on this one as the word out of AC Milan sounds a lot like the word out of MLS. Maybe if I see Don next week in Houston, I will ask him about this one.
OFF MY SOAPBOX