AC Milan play down Gerrard transfer reports

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AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has played down rumours linking the Italian giants with a summer move to sign Liverpool and England ace Steven Gerrard.

Reports in Italy had linked the 28-year-old midfielder with interest from the Rossoneri, but Ancelotti doubts that any deal could be struck.

He told Nemzeti Sport: "I think Steven Gerrard is an outstanding player but I doubt that he'd leave Liverpool.

"We're eyeing many players, but it would be too soon to mention any names before the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Rossoneri general manager Adriano Galliani has confirmed that the Italian giants are desperate to bring David Beckham back to the club next January.

The 33-year-old England international has impressed while on loan at the San Siro, but will return to the LA Galaxy in the summer.

Galliani told the club's official website: "Our agreement with the Galaxy is very clear. We obtained what we desired, which was to keep David until the end of the season.

"David has been a hugely important acquisition, he’s been crucial for us.

"We hope that he will return to us in January, but from here until the start of the winter transfer window he will definitely be in Los Angeles."

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has described football in England as a 'paradise' for coaches, while Italy is a far less forgiving environment.

Frustrated Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero is disappointed with the way his side's title challenge has petered out.

It had been thought that Juve would push Internazionale all the way after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea in March.

However, after taking only two points from their last three Serie A matches, they are ten points behind Jose Mourinho's side with only six games of the season remaining.

The club is expected to make several new signings in the summer but Del Piero told Tuttosport: "It's not as simple as just bringing in two or three champions.

"There are lots of other factors involved. For example, we played several games at night in the winter this season.

"On these evenings it was very cold or humid, which didn't help and then there were the refereeing errors that influenced results.

"But it was our fault because defensive and attacking mistakes stopped us achieving what we could have. We need to put that right because I don't want to finish second or third again.

"As far as transfers are concerned I have never vetoed any swoop. The reason for that is very simple. I don't talk to the club about the transfer market and they don't ask for my opinion."

In-demand Genoa midfielder Thiago Motta is waiting to see what offers come in for his services next summer.

The 26-year-old Brazil international has rebuilt his career in Italy following an injury-hit time in Spain with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

That has given rise to rumours of interest from bigger clubs, but his agent, Dario Cannovi, is content to wait on any concrete offers.

He told Tuttomercatoweb: "It is premature to talk about a sale at this stage. We would have to see what any offer would be.

"He is happy here and in any case I think Genoa are thinking about other things at the moment.

"I think the £20million price tag is correct because he is one of the best midfielders in the world."