AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident sought-after defender Thiago Silva will remain at the club next season.
Milan boss determined to keep Brazilian defender at the San Siro
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is confident sought-after defender Thiago Silva will remain at the club next season.
The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from the San Siro, with wealthy European clubs including Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly interested.
But after listening to Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and club president Silvio Berlusconi, Allegri insists Silva's suitors will be unsuccessful in their pursuit of the 27-year-old's services.
"I am convinced that Thiago Silva will stay," Allegri told Milan's
official website.
"He is the strongest defender in Europe and to lose him would be terrible for us.
"But I am convinced that after the Olympics he will return to Milanello. I think Galliani has been very clear with respect to what the club's intentions are.
"Milan does not want to see him leave. President Berlusconi wants to see Milan remain at the highest level and he will do everything to keep Thiago at Milan."
Target
Silva, who is under contract until 2016, is also a reported target for Barcelona, Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid and Carlo Ancelotti's Paris St Germain, according to FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti.
"The top four of five clubs on the planet are interested in Silva because he is the top defender in the world," Bronzetti told
Sky Italia.
"Mourinho really likes him but Real's interest is not as strong as that of Barcelona.
"Besides the two Spanish clubs, you also have Paris St Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City that right now can invest in the market.
"I think Silva's value is between 40 and 50million euros."
Silva joined Milan in 2009 from Fluminense and made 27 league appearances in the 2011/12 season.
