AC Milan insist no deal has been agreed to sell Ronaldinho (L; 61.66 points FTBL rating) but an exit appears to be inevitable.

The Serie A leaders jetted out to their winter training camp in Dubai on Monday without their Brazilian playmaker.

They claim the former World Player of the Year has been given permission to join up late and will fly out in the next few days.

However, Brazilian outfit Gremio claim they are closing in on a deal to take Ronaldinho, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, back to the club where his illustrious career began.

Coach Renato Portaluppi told Corriere dello Sport: "Ronaldinho to Gremio is 90 per cent done, actually a little more than that.

"He is a great player and a good friend."

Ronaldinho's agent Roberto De Assis has also revealed that he is to meet with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani in an effort to thrash out a deal.

"I will meet with Milan's Adriano Galliani in Rio de Janeiro on Monday," he said.

Meanwhile, among those to have made the journey to Dubai is Milan's latest signing Antonio Cassano.

His move from Sampdoria will not officially be completed until the transfer window reopens in January, but he has been allowed to join up with his new employers ahead of schedule.