In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport Ancelotti said he was hopeful of clinching a deal to bring Ronaldinho from Barcelona but is not taking anything for granted yet.

"I can imagine the Brazilian (Ronaldinho) playing alongside Kaka, Pirlo and Seedorf," Ancelotti said.

"We haven't bought him just yet. We will see."

Ancelotti said the club's principle objective in the transfer market this summer is to sign a forward, but should that be Arsenal's Adebayor - a natural striker - rather than Ronaldinho, Milan could line up in a different formation next season.

"If we sign a pure forward, we will play 4-3-1-2," he said.

"Otherwise we will have the classic 'Christmas tree' formation, the 4-3-2-1, and we know what satisfaction that has given us," he added, referring to the system Milan used in winning the Champions League in 2003.

That could suggest that Ronaldinho would be Ancelotti's preferred signing. Milan have repeatedly said that they can only afford to make one major signing this summer.

Adebayor on Friday went back on his promise to stay with Arsenal by suggesting that he was open to a move to Milan, but it seems that Ronaldinho remains the preferred target of the Italian giants.

The Rossoneri have moved to the front of the queue to sign the Brazilian despite previously saying that they could not compete with the financial offer made to him by Manchester City.