Milan brush off Chelsea move for Pirlo but Sneijder deal hints at agreement

30 July 2009 16:24
AC Milan have lined up £10million move for Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder as a potential replacement for Chelsea target Andrea Pirlo. The Blues are said to have tabled an opening offer for Pirlo of £8.6m plus striker Claudio Pizarro and the year-long loan of defender Michael Mancienne. But Milan are holding out for more and value their 30-year-old midfield master at £30m. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport quotes San Siro general manager Adriano Galliani as confirming Chelsea's bid, but adding: 'I returned to the sender, because we are not interested.' However, Milan have released quotes from Galliani on their official website which say there has been no bid for Pirlo, while also backing coach Leonardo amid unrest from fans at the lack of big-name signings. Signing Sneijder and offloading veteran Pirlo would fit with Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi's strategy of buying under-30s. However, Madrid are likely to want more for Holland international Sneijder as they prepare to spend more than they would like on Xabi Alonso. Chelsea and Inter Milan are also among the clubs interested in Sneijder. Milan have also been linked with a renewed bid to sign Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko, who at 23 is an ideal candidate, despite the German side's insistence that he is not for sale. Galliani and Milan director Ariedo Braida are in Germany for the Audi Cup with Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Source: Daily_Mail