Catania reveal Lopez deadline

Catania sporting director Pietro Lo Monaco has revealed that AC Milan have only until the end of the year to sign Maxi Lopez.

The Serie A champions have already reached an agreement with Catania for Lopez’s transfer, which has, however, been put on hold as they look to thrash out a deal for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.

“Milan have until December 31 (to sign him). If there is not any news by then, we will negotiate him with the other clubs who have tabled offers,” Lo Monaco told Sky Sport Italia.

“Milan are the only club Lopez could join on loan. If he joins another side, it will be on a permanent basis.”

“There is interest from some foreign clubs and also from another Italian team. I think that, in the end, Maxi will join a club who match his value.”

Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani said on Thursday the club had decided against following up on their interest in Lopez and stated that Tevez was their only transfer target.

Meanwhile, Italian sources suggest that Fiorentina are pondering a move for Lopez as a replacement for Alberto Gilardino, who is poised to join Genoa.