Pirlo no-go! Chelsea move blocked as AC Milan insist Andrea is going nowhere

05 August 2009 16:48
Chelsea have been foiled in their bid to sign AC Milan star Andrea Pirlo. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, who left the San Siro this summer, was desperate to be reunited with his former midfielder. Andrea Pirlo Staying put: Andrea Pirlo (right) has been taken off the market by Milan They were willing to pay £12million plus striker Claudio Pizarro to lure him to London. But Pirlo has now moved to insist he will stay with Milan, closing the door on the Barclays Premier League side. 'Today is a very good day,' Pirlo. 'I am very happy to be able to finish my career here. 'This is thanks to the president Silvio Berlusconi, to Adriano Galliani and to Leonardo who, by taking me off the market, have given me the possibility to end my career here. Silvio Berlusconi Move: Silvio Berlusconi 'When they told me the news I was very happy, finally the saga of this summer is over and we can continue the adventure in rossonero. 'I had the possibility of changing teams and adventure but at the end in mutual agreement, the club and I, decided to continue and we are all happier. 'It was a turbulent summer with many doubts but at the end, in my family, we are all happier to remain in Milan.' Milan owner Berlusconi had earlier revealed that the midfielder was no longer for sale. 'Andrea Pirlo has been taken off the market,' he said after a meeting with boss Leonardo. 'He'll stay with us and finish his career at Milan. 'You know that Chelsea made a major offer for our Andrea Pirlo. We spoke to the player and decided to grant Leonardo's request that we keep Pirlo.' Chelsea will now turn their attention to bringing another big name to Stamford Bridge. Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery is high on their list but the German giants are asking for an astronomical fee. Sergio Aguero remains a more realistic target, with Chelsea ready to offer £38m plus outcast midfielder Deco for the Atletico Madrid ace.

Source: Daily_Mail