Milan confirm Taiwo and Mexes captures
Reuters - Monday 09 May 2011, 15:40
MILAN - New Serie A champions AC Milan will
sign defenders Taye Taiwo from Olympique Marseille and Philippe
Mexes from AS Roma on free transfers, coach Massimiliano Allegri
said on Monday.
"In defence, Milan are sorted. We have taken Mexes and
Taiwo," Allegri told a news conference on the eve of their
Italian Cup semi-final second leg at Palermo.
Nigerian left-back Taiwo, who the Rossoneri are trying to
sign as an EU player if he can gain a relevant passport, will
fill the only troublesome spot in Milan's line-up this term.
The 26-year-old has been with the French champions since
2005.
France centre-back Mexes, out with a cruciate ligament
injury, said last month that he would probably be joining Milan
in the close season after seven years in the Italian capital.
Milan's ageing squad is in need of renewal despite their
scudetto triumph and a possible first league and cup double.
Several players including out of favour midfielder Andrea
Pirlo are out of contract in the close season and others are in
their mid-30s.
"When the season is over we will talk with the club,"
Allegri said of Pirlo's situation while responding to questions
about media speculation linking Milan with former playmaker Kaka - now at Real Madrid - and Santos's Brazilian youngster Ganso.
"The first has won everything in his career and the second
must still learn a lot," Allegri said.
Owner Silvio Berlusconi loosened the purse strings this term
to bring in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic having previously
reined in spending during the global economic crisis and watched
Inter win five straight scudettos.
However, the two free transfer deals show the Italian prime
minister is still keen on a bargain when he sees one.