Venky's chicken out of Ronaldinho deal?

Brazil winger Ronaldinho has become the central figure in the latest embarrassment to befall Blackburn Rovers' Indian owners, Venky's, following a Twitter post suggesting that they had offered the AC Milan ace a £six million a year deal.

The statement on Venky's Twitter page said: "Venky's trying hard to get Ronaldinho for two year contract. Offered £7.2 million as salary per year to Mr. Assis (Ronaldinho's agent Roberto de Assis)."

However, in a dramatic U-turn, Venky's co-owner Venkatesh Rao admitted it was unlikely that they would be sealing a deal for the 30-year-old.

The Twitter post had also been taken down, as it became clear that the player was heading home to Brazil to open talks over a return to Gremio, his home-town club.

"Everything depends on how these negotiations go. If we don't reach an agreement with a club in Brazil he'll return to Milan, as he is still a Milan player," the Sun quoted Assis, as saying.

Venky's, the poultry producers who completed their takeover at Ewood Park in November last year, have overseen a controversial two months at the club, with manager Sam Allardyce being sacked last month.