ROME, Jan 24 - AC Milan said on Wednesday they are optimistic of signing Ronaldo before the transfer deadline on January 31 while denying the Brazilian's transfer was imminent.

"Ronaldo will not arrive today," Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA on Wednesday.

"I spoke again this morning with Real Madrid technical advisor Franco Baldini and the negotiations are ongoing."

Galliani said he felt hopeful of closing the deal because of the 30-year-old's determination to join Milan.

"Ronaldo has said that he only wants a transfer to Milan and has received authorisation from Real Madrid to look for another team, so there is no problem with Real's officials.

"If negotiations proceed in the right way, I will travel to Madrid next Monday."

Last week, Galliani said that Milan were aiming to sign Ronaldo on a free transfer.

Milan's position softened, however, after Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic insisted that the Spanish club would only let Ronaldo go in exchange for a fee.

"We are prepared to negotiate with Real Madrid," Galliani told Spain's Punto Radio on Tuesday before revealing he had opened negotiations with Baldini.

The three times World Player of the Year has been angling to leave Real ever since coach Fabio Capello made it clear that he did not feature in his plans.

A transfer to Milan would represent a return to familiar territory for Ronaldo, who played for Inter Milan between 1997 and 2002.