AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has rubbished reports linking midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng with a summer move to French moneybags AS Monaco FC, ESPN reports.
Recent reports have suggested that Galliani met with Monaco officials regarding the possible transfer of Boateng to the Stade Louis II.
However, the longtime C.E.O. and vice-president of the Rossoneri has played down speculation linking Boateng with a summer exit from the San Siro while insisting no meeting with Monaco took place.
“There have been no requests for Boateng,” Galliani told Sky Sports. “No clubs have tabled an offer for him and he has not expressed a desire to leave.
“There was no meeting with Monaco. I just went for a courtesy visit but nobody believes me.”
Boateng, who bagged three goals and five assists in 37 appearances in all competitions for Milan last season, is also reportedly attracting interest from UEFA Europa League champions Chelsea.
The Blues may be in a spending mood after landing a 10-year deal with Adidas that is reportedly worth a cool £290 million, and rightfully so.
In other news, Galliani revealed that talks between Milan and Santos over Robinho have been brought to a standstill.
“The negotiations for Robinho have stopped. We had been dealing with them but we do not agree on the numbers,” added the 68-year-old.
De Bruyne to stay at Chelsea
The agent of Kevin De Bruyne, Patrick De Koster, has revealed the Belgium international will stay at Chelsea and fight for a place in Jose Mourinho’s first-team next season, Sky Sports understands.
De Bruyne, 21, joined Chelsea from Jupiler Pro League side K.R.C. Genk for a transfer fee of £6.7 million in January 2012 but has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Blues.
The 21-year-old ace enjoyed a fantastic 2012/13 campaign on loan at Werder Bremen, tallying 10 goals and nine assists in 33 league appearances.
De Bruyne has decided to stay at Stamford Bridge next season despite the Blues’ embarrassment of riches in attack, which consists of Andre Schürrle, Demba Ba, Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Lucas Piazon, Marko Marin, Oscar, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses.
“Mr. Mourinho gave a phone call to Kevin, explaining a little bit the situation for next season,” said De Koster.
“We didn’t receive any guarantees, but it’s normal in a team like Chelsea. It’s up to him to prove like he did in the last 18 months.
“A year and a half ago when he signed a contract at Chelsea, it was like a dream which became reality. Afterwards it was important for Kevin to put the right steps at the right moments.
“Kevin wants to play. Playing football, he became a better football player. I think he proved it staying six months more in Genk and last season in Bremen.
“He did very well. Now it’s up to him to prove the same thing at Chelsea.”
Can De Bruyne establish himself as a first-team player at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho? Only time will tell, but given the opportunity, I think he’ll thrive at Stamford Bridge.
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