Allegri confirms Montolivo will be part of new Milan

12 May 2012 18:47

Fiorentina's Riccardo Montolivo will be part of the new-look AC Milan next season, coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Saturday.

Milan will wave goodbye to stallwarts Filippo Inzaghi, Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Nesta on Sunday in their final game of the season against Novara.

Veteran Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel will also leave with Gianluca Zambrotta and Clarence Seedorf possibly also heading off.

It means Milan will need to rebuild and rejuvenate the team in the summer but one name already decided on is Montolivo, a regular midfield starter for Italy.

"Life goes on, tomorrow will be a melancholy day," said Allegri.

"We need to restart because Milan will go on without ever forgetting what those players have done.

"(Montolivo) has great qualities and excellent technique but first we'll think about ending the season.

"However, we will still be competitive, as we have been during the 25 years of (president Silvio) Berlusconi's reign."

Montolivo's transfer to Milan was no secret but Allegri refused to comment on other potential targets, such as Manchester City's errant forward Mario Balotelli.

Allegri did insist he had a fruitful conversation with Berlusconi and chief executive Adriano Galliani over dinner on Friday night, though.

Source: AFP