GALLIANI OUTLINES TRANSFER STRATEGY

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has outlined the club's transfer scenario for the summer following Friday's annunal general meeting with the shareholders.

The club announced a 38 per cent increase in profits for 2009 compared to 2008. Earnings for the year up to December 2009 were €327.6 million compared to 2008 results of €237.9m.

It seems Kaka's sale to Real Madrid last year has also curbed debts, down 85 per cent on 2008. Milan confirmed the current debt stands at €9.8m compared to the previous results of €66.8m.

With results in the briefcase, Galliani explained there would be no major sales from the club and, with that, no major arrivals as transfer allowances are docked.

"We will not be selling any stars. Certainly not Pato, certainly not Thiago Silva, Certainly not Ronaldinho, Huntelaar and Borriello," he told the press.

"Silvio Berlusconi loves Milan, but he will not spend €810m in five years like Inter did."

GALLI TO SUCCEED LEONARDO?

It now seems increasingly likely that Leo will leave Milan at the end of this season and return to Brazil to be closer to his family.

He is also being linked with the Brazil job, which should become available after the World Cup when Dunga's contract expires.

Silvio Berlusconi apparently named Galli as his preferred candidate during a dinner with a number of Italian senators earlier this week.

When asked about the incident, Adriano Galliani said: “If the President said so… I see Filippo every day, but I see him in charge of our youth sector.”

Galli's stock has risen in recent weeks as Milan want to focus more and more on bringing young players through the ranks.

However, the question now is who would replace him in charge of the youth sector, as Paolo Maldini, one of the names put forward, is keen to stay out of football for a while longer.

MALDINI CALLS FOR INVESTMENT

Milan have implemented a number of cost-cutting initiatives over the last year, attempting to slash the wage bill and sign players on free transfers.

Milan currently lie third in Serie A, but are all but mathematically out of the title race, as a seven-point gap separates Milan from leaders Roma with four games remaining this season.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Maldini said: “We need to invest. It's the only way Milan will stay at the top.”

The 41-year-old who retired last year also denied reports that he is about to return to the club as a director.

“I only just stopped playing. I am still too young as a director. Galliani and I have seen each other. No problem exists at the moment.

“I am taking a year out,” he concluded.

Sampdoria 2 - 1 Milan

Scorers: 20' Borriello, 54' Cassano (penalty), 92' Pazzini.
 
SAMPDORIA (4-4-2): Storari; Zauri, Lucchini, Rossi, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Poli (79' Tissone), Guberti (67' Mannini); Cassano, Pazzini.   Subs not used:  Guardalben, Scepovic, Regini, Cacciatore, Testardi.
Coach: Del Neri

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Bonera, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Ambrosini (47' Zambrotta); Seedorf; Mancini (60' Oddo), Borriello, Ronaldinho.   Subs not used:  Abbiati, Inzaghi, Huntelaar, Jankulovski, Albertazzi.
Coach: Leonardo

Yellow Cards: Abate, Ambrosini, Lucchini, Poli, Tissone, Borriello.   Red Cards: Bonera.

COMEBACK FALLS SHORT

Milan 2- 2 Catania

Scorers: 12' Lopez, 43' Ricchiuti, 48' & 80' Borriello.

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli (63' Flamini), Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (74' Mancini); Ronaldinho, Borriello, Huntelaar (74' Inzaghi). Subs not used: Roma, Oddo, Zambrotta, Gattuso.
Coach: Leonardo

CATANIA (4-3-3): Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Terlizzi, Capuano; Ricchiuti (72' Delvecchio), Carboni (61' Ledesma), Biagianti; Izco (83' Potenza), Lopez, Mascara. Subs not used: Campagnolo, Bellusci, Morimoto, Moretti.
Coach: Mihajlovic

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Mascara, Carboni, Pirlo, Alvarez, Borriello.

Milan 2- 2 Catania

Scorers: 12' Lopez, 43' Ricchiuti, 48' & 80' Borriello.

MILAN (4-2-1-3): Dida; Abate, Thiago Silva, Favalli (63' Flamini), Antonini; Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf (74' Mancini); Ronaldinho, Borriello, Huntelaar (74' Inzaghi).   Subs not used:  Roma, Oddo, Zambrotta, Gattuso.
Coach: Leonardo

CATANIA (4-3-3): Andujar; Alvarez, Spolli, Terlizzi, Capuano; Ricchiuti (72' Delvecchio), Carboni (61' Ledesma), Biagianti; Izco (83' Potenza), Lopez, Mascara.   Subs not used:  Campagnolo, Bellusci, Morimoto, Moretti.
Coach: Mihajlovic

Yellow Cards: Ambrosini, Mascara, Carboni, Pirlo, Alvarez, Borriello.

LEONARDO PONDERS FUTURE

Leonardo is thinking hard about his Milan future, and, if he doesn't get a substantial transfer allowance in the summer, he will walk out, according to reports.

The coach has already been linked with the Brazil national job after the World Cup, but his future doesn't hang on that one peg. He wants guarantees from the club that he will be granted more power and influence on the transfer market.

Leonardo wants to play an active role in who comes and goes from San Siro, rather than let the directors dicatate who he can and cannot sign.

Also, he is hoping for a bigger budget to spend on players, a rarity at Milan in recent times. Chief executive Adriano Galliani has made it clear that the days of grandiose spending are long gone.

In any case, Leonardo wants a power-sharing deal, or he will reconsider his days in Italy, aware of reported interest from Brazil.

MILAN CONSIDER CACAU

According to reports, Milan are closely monitoring the progress of Stuttgart striker Cacau, wishing to acquire the 29-year-old during the upcoming summer transfer window.

But Milan will have a battle on its hands, as several teams from across Europe also wish to sign the player.

English sides Bolton and Blackburn and Spanish teams Valencia and Sevilla are also attempting to capture the signature of the Brazilian-born German international.

It is also alleged that Cacau has refused to put pen to paper in regards to a contract extension.

Cacau has scored 57 goals in 172 appearances in the Bundesliga.

MILAN TARGET NEW VIEIRA

Milan are apparently keen to sign Le Mans midfielder Herold Goulon who has been compared with Patrick Vieira.

The talented 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and would provide Ambrosini and Gattuso with greater competition.

Il Corriere dello Sport understands that Goulon's agents are awaiting a reply from Milan before taking other offers from clubs in France.

Milan want to reinforce the midfield ahead of next season.

Milan have also been linked with Getafe's young winger Pedro Leon, although he would cost around €10m.

MILAN BAULK AT DZEKO COST

Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness has revealed that he told AC Milan officials that if they wanted to tempt star striker Edin Dzeko to Serie A then they would have to part with €40 million.

Rumours regarding the Bosnian international making a summer move to San Siro have plagued the German champions all season and Hoeness has confirmed he did speak to Milan but it seems the club’s valuation was too high.

"We talked with AC Milan who have shown an interest but they are not willing to pay the amount that we requested and want us to lower our asking price," Hoeness said.

“The amount to pay is clear though, it’s €40 million and will not change. Otherwise, Dzeko will remain with us. I always said that if we have to choose between money and the player, I'd still keep Edin here next year."

With news that clubs Manchester City and Chelsea are now considering a summer swoop for the 24-year-old, Milan look to have finally given up their chase.

Cagliari 2-3 Milan

Scorers: 7' Borriello, 17' Ragatzu, 19' Huntelaar, 32' Matri, 38' Astori (autogoal).

CAGLIARI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Pisano, Canini, Astori, javascript:void(0)Agostini; Biondini (83' Larrivey), Conti, Lazzari (63' Dessena); Cossu; Matri, Ragatzu (73' Jeda).   Subs not used:  Lupatelli, Lopez, Marzoratti, Barone.
Coach: Allegri

MILAN (4-3-3): Dida; Abate (87' Oddo), Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Seedorf, Pirlo (73' Gattuso), Ambrosini; Huntelaar (60' Zambrotta), Borriello, Ronaldinho.   Subs not used:  Roma, Kaladze, Zigoni, Verdi.
Coach: Leonardo 

Yellow Cards: Astori, Ambrosini, Pisano, Borriello.

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TASSOTTI READY TO COACH MILAN

Mauro Tassotti will be the ideal replacement for Leonardo if he leaves Milan, says Cesare Maldini.

The idea that Leonardo will leave Milan at the end of the season has gathered a head of steam, earning several column inches in the Italian media.

He has been linked with the Brazil job after the World Cup, when it is widely reported that current coach Carlos Dunga will leave.

Finding a replacement at Milan will not be a hard slog though. Maldini feels current assistant coach Tassotti could be allocated the top job.

"First we have to see if Leonardo stays or goes, for now it's all talk," Maldini stated.

MILAN MAKE LEON OFFER

Milan have made a €10million bid for Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon, according to Sportmediaset.

Leon joined Getafe from Valladolid last year for €4m, but the Madrid-based club inserted a €10m buy-out clause into his 2014 contract.

With that in mind, Milan kicked transfer plans into action early by presenting Getafe with the funds to match the clause.

However, Milan face competition from a host of other clubs. Spanish paper AS claims Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also shown an interest.

The 23-year-old prefers to play on the right wing, and he has scored six goals in 34 games this season.

MILAN'S LUKAKU INTEREST

Milan are weighing up a bid for Anderlecht's promising young striker Romelu Lukaku, who has already been likened to Didier Drogba.

The 16-year-old Belgium international has scored 15 goals in 27 appearances and became the third youngest goalscorer in the history of a UEFA competition when he found the net against Ajax in the Europa League in December.

Milan are looking to add further youth to the squad. However, such is the hype surrounding Lukaku, Milan are inclined to move quickly to beat off competition from other European clubs.

Anderlecht declared Lukaku unsellable just a few days ago, but Sport Mediaset understands that Milan are preparing a €15m bid that should be accepted.