Flamengo's vice-president of football, Kleber Leite, met with the press this Wednesday afternoon (27/12), to clarify doubts about the possible signing of Milan striker, Ronaldo.

- "First of all, I'd like to make it clear that Flamengo has complete respect for Milan. We contacted Leonardo, Milan's manager, and revealed our interest in Ronaldo. Milan made it clear that they're interested in keeping the player, but his desire to play for Flamengo weighs heavily in the negotiations. I hope that in the end, his will prevails. If not now, it will be in July. But I sense a deep respect for him at Milan. I think they want to defer the final decision to Ronaldo."

Kleber Leite revealed that he met with the striker's attorney, and that negotiations have progressed.

"We're creating a task force, comprised of Vice President of Marketing Ricardo Heinrichsen, our collaborator Plínio Serpa Pinto, Vice President of Finance José Carlos Dias, and President Márcio Braga, to ensure the negotiations are finalized. I met with Ronaldo's agent yesterday and today, and we're making progress. A number of factors make me very excited. The time is now, and Flamengo will see this project through to the end."

According to the vice president, signing Ronaldo would be a new stage in Flamengo's life.

- "Signing Ronaldo is a life project, both for the Club and for the striker. We want a contract until December 2010. The player has a personal project to play for Flamengo and return to the Brazilian national team."

Kleber Leite revealed that negotiations will continue in the coming days, as Milan's vice-president Adriano Galliani is in Brazil for New Year's Eve.

- "Adriano Galliani is in Rio and will spend New Year's Eve here. We will have plenty of opportunities to talk to him."