Galliani hints at Del Piero swoop

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has hinted the Rossoneri could try to sign forward Alessandro Del Piero next season.

Del Piero’s current contract with Juventus runs out at the end of the season and the Turin giants have announced that they will not renew his deal thereafter.

The 36-year-old has yet to confirm whether he will retire from football altogether in 2012, and Galliani has suggested that should the former Italy international decide to continue carry on playing, then Milan could make an approach for his services.

“Is it never too late? I have learned to define players as talented or mediocre, not young or old,” Galliani told Sky Sport Italia. “I always prefer a talent to a youngster.”

“After all, many of our stars like Paolo Maldini and Billy Costacurta retired at 40. Pippo Inzaghi is 38 and still playing for us.”

Galliani also revealed that Milan tried to sign Del Piero from Padova in 1993 just before he made the switch to Turin, where he has been playing for Juventus since.

“We nearly signed Del Piero in 1993 and failing to do that remains one of the great regrets of my career,” Galliani said.

“The fact remains that before he went to Juve, Milan were interested in the player.”

Del Piero has made over 450 appearances for Juventus, scoring over 200 goals, and has won Serie A five times and the Champions League once among other honours.