AC Milan turn down huge offer from Paris St Germain for Thiago Silva

AC Milan have turned down an offer of nearly 46million euros from Paris St Germain for coveted defender Thiago Silva, club owner Silvio Berlusconi has revealed.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has been locked in talks this week with PSG executives regarding the possible sale of the Brazil international to the Ligue 1 side.

However, Berlusconi confirmed that Milan have rebuffed an "extraordinary" offer from the French club and insisted Silva will remain at the San Siro next season.

"We have not changed our mind," Berlusconi said to SportItalia. "We had no intention of selling the player but we had received an extraordinary offer from PSG.

"We have always been clear and PSG should not feel let down.

"We told them from the start that we would take a decision once we had looked at the offer and seen what is out there in the market in terms of finding a possible replacement.

"They made us a very interesting offer, close to 46million euros.

"We considered the possibility (to sell) and we looked at the central defenders that would replace Thiago Silva but we haven't found an adequate player.

"The old heart of Silvio Berlusconi has allowed us to reject this offer."

Silva joined AC Milan from Fluminense in December 2008 in a deal worth under 10million euros.

He is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2016.

Silva's agent Paolo Tonietto said yesterday that if the 27-year-old was to remain with the Italian club then he would expect Milan to offer him a new contract.

The South American reportedly gets four million euros per season, five million euros less than the club's highest-paid player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan are ready to placate him.

"Thiago Silva is a great man and we can find an easy solution," Berlusconi said. "We hope to have the best defence next season."

Berlusconi also brushed aside reports that Ibrahimovic will move away from the San Siro this summer.

Ibrahimovic was linked with a move to PSG and Manchester City this summer.

"Regarding Ibra (Ibrahimovic), he will also remain because he is the best in his position," Berlusconi said.

PA