AC Milan News Update

Milan Keen On Real Madrid's Trio Of Sneijder, Van der Vaart & Robben – Report

The Rossoneri are expecting Perez to return the Kaka favour by allowing Milan some leeway for a number of players...

17 Jun 2009 09:55:02

Milan are ready to show their hand to Real Madrid for Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, according to Il Corriere Dello Sport.

It is reported that Florentino Perez owes Milan chief Adriano Galliani a favour following the Kaka deal between the clubs, which saw the Brazilian move to the Bernabeu as Perez's first signing of the new Galactico era. The Rossoneri are now looking for some strong wingers to fit new coach Leonardo's proposed 4-3-3 tactical system and Perez may be able to help.

Reports in Spain have suggested up to nine players will be shown the door by Perez, and Milan are keen on the Dutch gang. Robben is admired by Leonardo, who wants a skilful wide man to supply pace and crosses from the left, and fellow Netherlands internationals Sneijder and Van der Vaart are also considered options for the San Siro side.

Galliani is a good friend of Perez, and whispers claim the men have an agreement in place in order to trade players that interest Milan.

AC Milan News Update

No Bids From Manchester United Or Milan For Valdes - Agent

Barcelona may not be ready to pay what Victor Valdes wants, but nor have there been any offers from clubs that are...

17 Jun 2009 11:41:06

Victor Valdes has not received an offer from either Manchester United or AC Milan and does not expect to hear anything while he is still under contract with Barcelona, according to his agent.

The Catalan custodian's negotiations over a new deal with the Blaugrana have started earning headlines as there has reportedly been a breakdown because the club will not meet his demands.

With one story suggesting Valdes wants €9 million-per-year, he has been linked with a move away fro Camp Nou this summer and both the Red Devils and Rossoneri are said to be watching.

Valdes' agent still believes that a deal could be reached with Barcelona and hopes that the focus remains on resuming talks rather than the search for a new a keeper.

"We have no offer and doubt we are going to hear from them, because Victor still has a year's contract and belongs to Barcelona," Gines Carvajal is quoted as saying by Sport.

"We do not want anyone to feel that they could disturb us from our intention to renew with Barcelona."

With Valdes not signing a new contract, rumours have linked Barcelona with several goalkeepers including Liverpool's Pepe Reina and Real Valladolid's Sergio Asenjo.

AC Milan News Update

Massimo Oddo Encouraged By AC Milan Return

The veteran defender is likely to stay at the San Siro this season and is confident he can be of use to new coach Leonardo...

16 Jun 2009 22:00:54

It looks like Massimo Oddo will remain at Milan this coming season, despite rumours floating around that the player would be returning to Lazio. The right-back is hopeful he will make an impact for the side, even if many suggest he will be behind Gianluca Zambrotta in the pecking order.

"I am encouraged to do well," the defender told Milan Channel on Tuesday evening.

"I'm back to play my cards right in this 'new' Milan and we'll see what happens."

The ex-Napoli player revealed why he made the decision to leave Milan on-loan to Bayern Munich during the summer of 2008. "I left because I was not feeling an environment of confidence," he explained, referring to former coach Carlo Ancelotti lack of faith in him.

The 33-year-old joined the Rossoneri in 2007 and contributed to their Champions League victory that season, but he hit a patch of poor form in the next campaign and was subsequently loaned to the Bavarians.

The most successful spell in his career was perhaps a five-year stint at Lazio, where he made over 130 appearances in Serie A.

AC Milan News Update

Begiristain: Messi Has Become The Best Because Ronaldinho & Deco Left Barcelona

The Blaugrana technical director has found the perfect justification for the harsh dismissals of Ronaldinho and Deco last summer…

17 Jun 2009 07:56:40

Barcelona's technical director, Txiki Begiristain, has come out to defend the club's brave decision to give Ronaldinho and Deco the boot last year following a disastrous campaign, a move that has since paid handsome dividends.

“It was a necessary move because the coach had to work with a proper team and an appropriate squad,” he said during an interview with Barca’s official magazine.

“We thought that it would be too risky to continue with the same players and it wasn’t worth the gamble.

“Besides with the departures, we gave the dressing room a massive shake-up, we freed up space in the squad, we modified some roles and redefined a few others.

“If Lionel Messi is number one today, it is partly because they relinquished their place and that allowed him to take over.”

Txiki then went on to analyse why and how Barca have won plaudits all over the world for their unmistakable style of football, based on the 4-3-3 formation that was pioneered by a certain Dutch master 20 years ago.

“[Johan] Cruyff outlined a system which became the ‘Dream Team’. [Frank] Rijkaard then made it evolve when he adapted the style to today’s game, especially from a physical aspect, and he gave the team a new character,” he theorised.

“Now, what we’re seeing is that Pep Guardiola has continued to evolve Rijkaard’s style. The group work differently, with much more complexity. The other big adjustment is that the team is based on the freedom of the players.

“Pep is the first off-spring of the ‘Dream Team’ and he has made us even more effective.”

AC Milan News Update

Aly Cissokho Move To Milan May Collapse Due To Failed Medical

Sky Sport Italia are reporting that a problem with the Frenchman's teeth may see the move fall through...

17 Jun 2009 12:10:02

Milan face the very real possibility of sending Aly Cissokho back to Porto and scrapping the move for him following a problem which has emerged regarding his teeth, according to Sky Sport Italia.

The Rossoneri were due to announce the conclusion of the deal for the stopper on Tuesday, but club doctor Jean-Pierre Meersseman has requested a further medical after what should have been his final examination revealed new concerns over the player's teeth.

The report suggests Cissokoho will have another medical at Milan Lab later this afternoon and it is here where a final decision will be made as to whether he joins the club or not.

Vice president Adriano Galliani is expected to be present at the medical and an official announcement is expected to arrive within the next few hours. Cissokho's entourage are also in Milan and they are concerned.

Massimo Ambrosini's agent was set to meet Galliani today over the midfielder's future, but that move has slipped following the Cissokho drama.

Update 14:10CET: Cissokho has had his extra medical exam at Milan Lab and he has left for his summer holiday's in Senegal. Galliani is set to meet the player's agent within the next hour in order to define the status of the transfer in terms of whether it goes through or not. The club have not confirmed the emerging details from Sky Sport Italia just yet though.

AC Milan News Update 3 June 2009

Kaka wants to stay

Milan star Kaka has told the club's fans he will not be leaving this summer despite rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have courted the 27-year-old for a long time and their interest looks set to hot up this summer.

“I'll say for the last time and I mean the last time. I do not want to leave Milan,” Kaka told fans as he arrived at the local airport.

“I beg you, in this moment I would prefer to be silent because I don't want to be badly interpreted or, worse still, manipulated.”

The comments come just hours after Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani told reporters he expects a bid to arrive from Real.

“On the rumours that regard Kaka I repeat that he is still a Milan player. There is no doubt he is the object of desire of two important European clubs, just like Pato.

“This means that they view Milan well and we will look to resist the assault from European clubs that make more than us and have different tax rates,” Galliani concluded.

Kaka came very close to leaving Milan in January when Manchester City offered a world record fee of £107m for his services.

While the player did not want to leave, Milan were clearly tempted and gave City the all clear to finalise the deal.

It was only when Kaka made absolutely clear he had no intention of moving to City that Milan broke off negotiations.

Kaka has been in superb form this season despite nursing a troubling knee injury. He scored 16 goals in 28 starting appearances for the Rossoneri.

AC Milan News Update 3 June 2009

Ancelotti demands Pato

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is ready to raid his old club Milan and bid for Alexandre Pato, according to the Sun.

Ancelotti left the Rossoneri on Sunday to join Chelsea with whom he signed a lucrative three-year contract.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have given his new manager a huge transfer budget to spend this summer.

The Blues have been linked with Franck Ribery and David Villa, but Pato represents a tried and trusted purchase for the cautious Ancelotti.

The Sun report Chelsea have already offered £30m for the 19-year-old Brazil international, who just finished his first full season in Milan colours.

Pato scored 15 Serie A goals in 27 starting appearances for the Rossoneri, making him their second top scorer in the League this season.

He is widely regarded as one of football's top prospects after winning the Club World Cup with Internacional in 2006.