Milan have emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona’s Brazilian striker Rivaldo after the club’s vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed that he was planning to fly to Spain to discuss a deal.

Barcelona confirmed over the weekend that the Brazilian would be released by the club with one year remaining on his contract.

With Barcelona ruling out a move to arch-rivals Real Madrid, the filed of runners interested in signing Rivaldo, looks remarkably small.

Former suitors Lazio claim they will not be pursuing their interest in the player and Manchester United, another side linked with Rivaldo, have confirmed that there would be no new arrivals at Old Trafford in the wake of signing Rio Ferdinand, Milan may have a free run at the 30-year-old.

Rivaldo also claims that Atletico Madrid have expressed interest in signing him and eeven suggested that Brazilian club Palmeiras had expressed an interest although whether the latter could afford the player’s wage demands let alone the transfer fee, is open to doubt.