Associated Press Sports
updated 4:03 p.m. ET Jan. 19, 2013
MILAN (AP) -AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said on Saturday that the club is interested in signing Mario Balotelli but only if Manchester City drops its asking price for the Italy striker.
Balotelli, who is a lifelong Milan fan, has long been linked with a return to Italy, where he progressed through the ranks at Inter Milan before joining City in 2010.
"At the end of Friday Manchester City was still saying ?37 million, we'll see on Monday," Galliani said. "At that price, Balotelli will stay at Manchester City."
Balotelli's agent, Mino Raiola, spent time at Milan's headquarters on Friday.
Galliani is more hopeful of bringing Milan idol Kaka back to San Siro on a loan deal until 2015 and is in talks with the Real Madrid player about reducing his salary.
"At this moment, it's looking good, what's positive is that Real want to let him leave, Milan wants to take him and Kaka wants to come to Milan," Galliani said. "What's negative is that we still have a mountain to climb in contractual terms as Spanish fiscal law is different, otherwise there's no way they could have paid the player what they did.
"If the player comes to play in Italy he would be considered Italian in regards to our fiscal codes and that's the obstacle. If Kaka arrives, he'll come for 2 1/2 years, the loan deal isn't a problem but his wages (are)."
A move to bring Kaka back before the start of the season fell through and Galliani said on Wednesday that Milan could not afford his wages.
However, Kaka later hinted he would be prepared to take a pay cut after a flying visit to the city to have dinner with compatriot and current Milan striker Robinho.
Kaka is still adored at Milan, where he had a golden six-year spell during which he helped it to the Serie A and Champions League titles.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is also keen on signing Kaka but insists there will be no move for another former veteran, David Beckham.
"There are talks in progress for Kaka, an important negotiation process if this great return should occur," Allegri said. "I agree with the club and Adriano Galliani on everything, so there has never been my position opposed to that of the club. There is an exchange of ideas, certainly, but it's not true that I don't want Kaka.
"I know Beckham, he is a great guy and a player of real class. However, you can't wipe out his birth certificate and Milan have chosen to focus on youth hopefully with support from an important champion like Kaka."
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
advertisement
More newsAFP - Getty ImagesChelsea holds on to beat Arsenal 2-1
??LONDON (AP) -Chelsea held off a stirring second-half fightback by London rival Arsenal to claim a 2-1 win on Sunday, tightening its grip on third place in the Premier League.
Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/50519095/ns/sports-soccer/
andrew breitbart dead sheriff joe arpaio limbaugh aaron smith wilt chamberlain joe arpaio cat in the hat
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.