Barcelona's troubled playmaker seems set for an exit from the Nou Camp at the end of the season after having rarely been out of the spotlight this year with media focus shifting between his weight, his fitness, his form and his private life.

Speculation over his future has been rife for months with Chelsea, Liverpool and Milan among the clubs reportedly keen to acquire his services.

But on Sunday the Italians emerged as the frontrunners after Berlusconi admitted he hopes to bring the Brazilian to the San Siro.

When asked about whether the club would lodge a bid for the Brazilian, Berlusconi replied: "I hope so, I think so. We will try to get him."

Earlier on Sunday, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti also spoke of the Rossoneri's interest in signing the 28-year-old.

"Ronaldinho is a great player," he admitted. "Milan´s interest in him has been there for a long time.

"At this time he is a Barcelona player and the club is evaluating the development of this situation.

"He is a champion that interests several clubs."

The announcements come after Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, was photographed having dinner with AC Milan sporting director Adriano Galliano earlier this week.

According to the Italian press an offer of 20million euros was made during the meeting.

Speculation that Ronaldinho's Barcelona career was winding down was already at fever pitch last week after De Assis announced that his brother could leave the Nou Camp should he so wish.

He told Brazilian website Globoesporte.com: "The possibility of Ronaldinho leaving Barcelona is always there.

"We are aware of the release clause, but we also know about the existence of article 17. Anything is possible"

Should he decide to make the move to Milan he may well have played his last game in the Blaugrana shirt.

On Friday he was ruled out for six weeks after scans found evidence of a thigh injury sustained on Thursday, in what was only the second time that the Brazilian forward had trained with the club since early last month.

He last appeared for the Catalan side in their 2-1 defeat at home to Villarreal on March 9, since which time he has persistently complained of thigh pains despite the fact that initial scans carried out by the club medical staff on March 18 showed no sign of injury.

Milan have a track record of signing out-of-favour Brazilian stars from Spanish clubs.

In 2002 they rescued Rivaldo from the Nou Camp after the former world player of the year had fallen out with coach Louis van Gaal.

Then in 2007 Ronaldo joined the Rossoneri after buying himself out of his contract at Real Madrid.