Press reports suggest that the Rossoneri are keen to sign the Grifoni centre-back on loan, with Thiago Silva moving to Liguria.

Milan are facing a defensive injury crisis with Alessandro Nesta, Daniele Bonera, Philippe Senderos and Kakha Kaladze all on the sidelines and are expected to sign a central defender this month.

Despite vice president Adriano Galliani insisting that they will not return to the transfer market, Turin newspaper Tuttosport reports this morning that the Diavoli have pinpointed Genoa stopper Giuseppe Biava and are considering a swap deal with new recruit Thiago Silva, who would join the Stadio Marassi outfit on loan.

Milan signed the versatile Brazilian defender last month, but he will not be able to make his debut in a Rossoneri jersey until next season as they have already reached their quota of non-EU players this term by signing Andriy Shevckenko and Tabaré Viudez.

Biava has joined Genoa from Palermo in the summer and has become a regular starter in Giampiero Gasperini’s back-line, which has conceded only 17 goals in 18 games this season.