AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani says the club has had a change of heart and wants to keep Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo.

Milan announced on Friday that they had agreed to the player's request to be released from his contract and Rivaldo said he was considering offers from English clubs.

The former Barcelona striker said he wanted to leave Milan as he could no longer cope with being left out of the side by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

But after the Brazilian said farewell to his team mates before the 3-0 win over Lecce on Sunday, Galliani said he would make an attempt to keep Rivaldo.

A meeting will be held with the player and his agent in Milan on Monday.

"The documents relating to the cancellation of Rivaldo's contract are still in the office drawer. I will do everything in the coming hours to keep Riva," Galliani told the club's television station Milan Channel.

"It is my desire and that of the team and Carlo Ancelotti would be very glad to have him back."

Ancelotti added: "Rivaldo knows that if he stays the club will be happy, the players will be happy and he will have a happy coach. We are waiting for him."

HARD TO IMAGINE

Rivaldo, who said he had been moved by the reaction of Milan fans to his departure, said it was hard to imagine staying but said he would meet with Galliani.

"Tomorrow we will talk, I will talk with Galliani but I think it will be difficult," said the Brazilian.

"It is sad, today the fans were chanting my name, but life is like that," he added.

Rivaldo repeated that his main problem was his lack of opportunities in the side.

"The situation is very difficult, I have not had a chance to play and I have always played at other clubs.

"I missed out on big games like the Champions League quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final and I was saddened by that," he said.