Cassano faces a further six months on the sidelines

AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano has revealed he faces a further six months on the sidelines as he recovers from heart surgery.

The Italy international was forced to undergo an emergency procedure after falling ill following Milan's victory at Roma at the end of October.

It was hoped the striker might be fit to return to action before the end of the season and thus force his way into the reckoning for Euro 2012.

However, Cassano has revealed it will be June before he is kicking a ball in anger again.

"I have to wait six months to play," Cassano said. "Until then, walk, walk, walk."

Cassano said the support of his Milan team-mates has been overwhelming, and particularly that of strike partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"He's one of my best friends," Cassano said. "I have a great relationship with him and with all of Milan."

Grab this Headline Animator

Nocerino keen to play with Tevez

AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino has revealed he wants Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez to join the Serie A champions in January.

Roberto Mancini is keen to see Tevez leave Etihad Stadium on a permanent deal when the transfer window opens, but he may be forced to settle for a loan.

Speaking to Sky Sport 24 on Wednesday, Nocerino said he would welcome the out-of-favour Argentine to the San Siro.

"(Tevez) is a great player. I hope he can come to Milan," Nocerino said.

Midfielder Nocerino arrived at the club from Palermo on the last day of the transfer window on August 31, and has quickly developed into a key player for Massimiliano Allegri.

He is in the middle of a productive campaign, having netted six league goals this season.

However, Nocerino played down his achievements to date, claiming he is only doing his bit to contribute to AC Milan's cause at the top of the table.

"I scored six goals, and I consider myself to be quite a prolific scorer. I'm just a normal guy who plays with so many champions," he said.

Nocerino also expressed his gratitude to his first club Juventus, where he started his career, for nurturing his talent.

"I owe so much to Juventus because I had grown up there," he said.

"Now I am part of Milan, however, I am happy here and I hope we can celebrate at the end of the season."

Grab this Headline Animator

Pato,Inzaghi set to leave Milan

AC Milan forwards Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi have both been linked with moves away from the Serie A club.

Pato is the number one target of Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain and the French club are ready to table a big offer for the Brazilian when the January transfer window opens.

The 22-year-old striker is reported to be the subject of an offer of just above 41 million pounds as PSG look to bolster their forward options.

The reports surfaced in the Italian media after an apparent breakdown in relations between Pato and Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Pato is said to have taken offence at Allegri's public comments that criticised him but Milan have insisted the player will stay at the San Siro.

Inzaghi is another player being linked with a move away from Italy, with Spanish outfit Espanyol said to be interested in signing the veteran.

The 38-year-old is also a reported target of two English Premier League sides.

The transfer window opens on January 1.

Grab this Headline Animator

Thiago wants Milan captaincy

Thiago Silva wants to become AC Milan captain and is hoping to spend the rest of his career at the San Siro.

The 27-year-old Brazilian became the club's first foreign skipper since Nils Liedholm in 1961 when he was handed the armband for last month's Serie A fixture against Chievo, and has admitted that earning that honour on a regular basis has become a target of his in the long term.

"I hadn't originally wanted to be captain, but then I became the Brazil skipper and I changed my mind," he told Ansa.

He is currently placed behind the likes of Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso and Christian Abbiati in the pecking order for the role at San Siro, but his vision for the future revolves around a lengthy stint with the Rossoneri.

"In 2016, I will speak with (CEO) Adriano Galliani about renewing my contract for another five years. We will see what happens."

Thiago Silva's compatriot Ganso has been linked with a move to Milan, and the defender said the 22-year-old Santos star could have a very positive impact.

"If we bought him in January he would make a big difference in both Serie A and the Champions League," he said.

Thiago Silva signed for Milan in 2008, making his debut for the club at the start of the 2009-10 season.

"But there is certainly nothing concrete at the moment. I also read that Manchester United would like to extend his contract."

On Boxing Day, Berbatov netted a hat-trick against Wigan. In addition to Leverkusen, a number of other clubs have been linked with his signing, including Tottenham and Fulham.

Grab this Headline Animator

Milan agreed deal for Seydou Keita

Reports have emerged that AC Milan have agreed a deal for Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita.

Sport has reported that the Barcelona midfielder will move to the Rossoneri at season’s end.

The defensive midfielder is tied to the Blaugrana until June 2014, but it’s reported he has a clause in his contract allowing him to walk away two years early.

The clause is activated if the 31-year-old is not given a minimum number of appearances during the campaign.

Grab this Headline Animator

Milan eye Torres loan

AC Milan is exploring the possibility of signing Chelsea striker Fernando Torres on a six-month loan according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Milan are keen to boost their attacking options in the second half of the season because of the lengthy absence of Antonio Cassano due to health problems, and they have earmarked unsettled Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez as the perfect candidate to strengthen their squad.

However, Milan is only interested in signing the Argentina international on loan, while City wants to offload Tevez permanently.

As a result, the Serie A champions are looking at alternatives and have reportedly set their sights on Torres.

Milan are believed to be close to finalising a deal with Catania for striker Maxi Lopez, but club owner Silvio Berlusconi is eager to acquire a high-profile player, and would rather sign Torres instead.

The Spain international has been unable to make an impact at Chelsea since joining the Blues from Liverpool in January 2010 for a fee of around 50 million pounds, and there has been plenty of speculation about his future in recent weeks.

It seems unlikely that Chelsea are open to farming the 27-year-old out on loan following recent comments from manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese boss stressed last week that he still has confidence in Torres and declared the striker not for sale at any price.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Milan's cross-town rivals inter are reportedly lining up a move for promising Universidad de Chile youngster Igor Lichnovsky.

La Gazzetta dello Sport report Inter are desperate to add some reinforcements to their defence during the transfer window, and boss Claudio Ranieri reportedly sees the 17-year-old Lichnovsky as the perfect addition to their ageing squad.

Lichnovsky is a product of the Universidad de Chile youth academy and made his first-team debut earlier this year.

The centre back is considered to be one of the brightest prospects in South America at present and has previously been linked with a move to Premier League giants Chelsea.

Grab this Headline Animator

Serie A wrap: Milan move top

Second-half strikes from Antonio Nocerino and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave AC Milan a 2-0 win over Siena in the Serie A on Saturday.

The win extended Milan's unbeaten run in the league to 10 games and moved them one point clear at the top of the table, although Juventus and Udinese can both overtake them with wins on Sunday.

A sweetly struck opener from Nocerino gave Milan the lead on 54 minutes at the San Siro, and an Ibrahimovic penalty 10 minutes later confirmed the three points for Massimiliano Allegri's side.

Fresh off the back of their disappointing 2-2 draw with Bologna last Sunday and clearly eager to make amends, it was Milan who started the brighter of the two sides, but the hosts could not make their advantage in possession count on the scoreboard in the first half.

They would not be denied in the second, however, with Nocerino receiving the ball off Robinho on the edge of the area and smashing it low into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 1-0 after 54 minutes.

With Siena desperate to equalise, it was Milan's turn to hit them on the counter-attack.

And with Kevin-Prince Boateng soon bearing down on goal, Siena goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic came out to stop a shot, but tripped the former Tottenham man and conceded a penalty.

It was Ibrahimovic who took responsibility for the spot-kick, and he smashed it low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to double the hosts' lead and seal the points.

In Saturday's other results, goals either side of half-time from Cyril Thereau and Gennaro Sardo helped Chievo to a 2-0 win over Cagliari at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

Fiorentina escaped with a point against Atalanta after Stevan Jovetic's late goal salvaged a 2-2 draw.

Alberto Gilardino gave Fiorentina an early lead, but two goals in five minutes from Andrea Masiello and German Gustavo Denis put Atalanta in front before Jovetic's late intervention ensured the points were shared.

Grab this Headline Animator

Chelsea interested in Robinho

Reports are out claiming that Premier League giants Chelsea are eyeing AC Milan star and former Manchester City flop Robinho.

According to The People, Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas has been alerted over the former Manchester City star who could leave AC Milan if the Italians clinch a deal for City outcast Carlos Tevez.

Milan would exceed their quota of foreign players if they signed Tevez.

Top clubs across Europe have been advised that Robinho or fellow Brazilian Alexandre Pato, 22 – another Chelsea target – could be off-loaded to make room for the Argentinian star.

Chelsea, under former boss Phil Scolari, tried and failed to land samba star Robinho, 27, on deadline day in September 2008, with the Brazilian moving to City instead in a British record £32.5million deal.

Grab this Headline Animator

Milan beat Genoa 2-0

AC Milan moved to the top of the Serie A table thanks to a well-earned 2-0 win over Genoa on Friday.

Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Antonio Nocerino in the second-half mean

Alberto Malesani's men have now lost three of their last four league games, and

will unsurprisingly pile the pressure on the former Bologna and Parma coach.

However, the match was almost subject of a premature abandonment just 12

minutes in, as tear gas was let off inside the Marassi in Genoa, while

disturbances outside the stadium threatened to boil over.

Fortunately for supporters, referee Domenico Celi was permitted to resume

proceedings several minutes later, although no clear goalscoring chances were

to be carved out in the subsequent 30 minutes of action.

Despite Genoa starting more positively, the incident seemed to have swung the

momentum in favour of Milan, who began with an early penalty shout after Nocerino

was felled by Marco Rossi.

The playmaking talents of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Ibrahimovic were frequently

on hand to orchestrate attacks and powering shots at goal for the reigning

champions, but Sebastien Frey remained on his toes to keep the scores tied.

Genoa almost stole the initiative against the run of play when Thiago Silva's

wayward pass to Luca Antonini was intercepted by Giandomenico Mesto in the box,

but the winger could only strike wide of Marco Amelia.

The second half sprung into life when Kakha Kaladze conceded a penalty after picking up a

second yellow and consequent red card for a clumsy challenge on Ibrahimovic,

who got up to smash the spot-kick home after 55 minutes.

It ought to have been 2-0 to the Scudetto holders a minute past the hour mark,

but Robinho somehow ballooned over from a yard out with the goal at his mercy. Genoa's Marco Rossi also saw chance from close-range fall

his way, but he could only manage to squeeze his effort wide.

There was to be no surprise ending, however, as Milan sealed the three points

on 78 minutes.Boateng drilled a low cross into the box, which was met

by Nocerino,

who continued his prolific start to the campaign by slamming the ball past

Frey.

The defeat sees Genoa fall to 10th place in the Serie A table, while Milan

could be usurped at the top if Juventus beat Cesena on Sunday.

Grab this Headline Animator

AC Milan cant afford Ganso

Italian agent Gaetano Paolillo has declared that AC Milan can’t afford Santos star Paulo Henrique Ganso.


The Brazil international is a confirmed target for Milan, but Paolillo says his asking price is too rich.

He told MilanNews.it:

“Ganso is a player who AC Milan likes a lot. However, I think, at this moment, the situation of the Italian market where they do not have a lot of money, the train has passed for Ganso.


“But at the same time, do not exclude that it could come back.”

Milan are also being linked with young Brazilian striker Guilherme and Paolillo added: “On Guilherme I can say that he is a decent player and I think his assessment is excessive considering that his club, Portuguesa, play in the Brazilian second division.”

Grab this Headline Animator