AC Milan are on the verge of signing Brazil striker Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

"Tomorrow Ronaldo will undergo a medical at Milanello and on Monday I have got an appointment with Real," Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told the Spanish daily El Mundo's Web page (www.elmundo.es) on Thursday.

"If everything goes according to plan, Ronaldo will be a Milan player on Monday."

The striker arrived at Milan's Linate airport on Thursday evening and was met by Galliani, who took the 30-year-old to the San Siro to watch the first leg of the club's Italian Cup semi-final against AS Roma.

Ronaldo was warmly applauded at the stadium by the home fans as he made his way to his seat next to Galliani.

Spanish media reported Milan had made a six million-euro ($7.79 million) offer for the three-times FIFA World Player of the Year.

El Mundo said Ronaldo would sign an 18-month contract with Milan, who would offer him the chance to end his career at the club if he lived up to expectations.

Ronaldo has been angling to leave Real since coach Fabio Capello made it clear the Brazilian did not feature in his plans.

A transfer to Milan would represent a return to familiar territory for the striker, who played for city rivals Inter between 1997 and 2002.

If the transfer goes through, Ronaldo will become the 10th non-Italian to play for both Milan clubs.

He will follow in the footsteps of Patrick Vieira, Edgar Davids, Hernan Crespo, Thomas Helveg, Dario Simic, Clarence Seedorf, Andres Guglielminpietro, Taribo West and Victor Benitez.

(China Daily via Reuters January 26, 2007)