Silvio Berlusconi has confirmed that a deal has been reached which will see Antonio Cassano join AC Milan in January.

The Italy international will officially link up with the Rossoneri once the Serie A transfer window re-opens on January 2.

He will, however, be free to join Milan at their winter training base in Dubai before putting pen to paper.

It is understood that the deal put to Cassano will run until 2014, and is on reduced terms compared to what he was earning at Sampdoria.

The 28-year-old striker is desperate to leave the Genoa-based club, though, after suffering a falling-out with president Riccardo Garrone.

A row with the Samp supremo led to him being dropped from the first-team picture, forcing him to look for a New Year switch elsewhere.

League leaders Milan were quickly indentified as the frontrunners in the race for his signature and club president Silvio Berlusconi is delighted to have sealed a deal, even if Cassano's arrival does push Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho closer to the exits.

"Yes. We will be signing Cassano. I am also very happy with how the side are playing,'' Berlusconi confirmed to Adnkronos.

"It is a shame for Ronaldinho," he added. "At the moment, he has not been playing well or training as well as he can."

Milan's capture of Cassano will add further firepower to their already fearsome frontline, which includes Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato.

Such strength does not bode well for their Serie A rivals, and Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has been quick to hail Milan's ambition in the transfer market.

He said: "Cassano is an excellent buy for Milan. I would give [Milan vice-president Adriano] Galliani 10 out of 10 because he is performing miracles.''

Source: Associated Press