Txiki Bergiristain claims that Ronaldinho will not be sold on in January in spite of rampant press speculation to the contrary.

However, the sporting director admitted that Ronaldinho's latest injury - a bout of tendinitis that kept him out of the Copa del Rey meeting with Alcoyano - was a blow to the side.

"This is something that bothers everyone, both the squad and technical staff alike, but it's simply down to playing too much and being damaged by a lengthy, intense career," said Txiki.

"A transfer? Nothing has changed in this area since I last spoke before Christmas. Ronaldinho is not up for sale and, based on informal discussions that we've had with other clubs, I doubt that any would invoke the clause [FIFA Article 17] out of respect for Barcelona, but that's a hypothesis."

However, sources in the Spanish press - such as Marca - have mooted that AC Milan could put a gentleman's agreemnt to one side and attempt to land 'Dinho on an Article 17 deal, meaning a drastically reduced payment with no consent from Barcelona required.

For now, though, that seems very unlikely.

Goal.com