AC Milan Transfer Rumors: Ganso, Montolivo Want Moves to Milan This Season

As AC Milan continue preparation for the upcoming season, the rumors continue to swirl around the Milanello about possible transfers in to help Milan return to European glory.

If the reports coming out of Italy come to fruition, the world better watch out for the Rossoneri.

In recent weeks, Fiorentina midfielder and captain Riccardo Montolivo has been heavily linked with a move to the club. Massimiliano Allegri recently praised the Italian international, and Goal.com reported that Fiorentina rejected a bid of six million euros plus Antonio Cassano for the 26-year-old. La Viola are hoping for 10 million and Cassano.

It is now believed that Montolivo is Mr. X for the Italian champions. He would be an incredible addition in the midfield and now seems like he will be very easy to get. Montolivo has told Fiorentina that he has no intention of playing for the club this season, and the general consensus is that he absolutely wants to play for Milan.

The only problem is that it seems that the club will be looking for a player in any sale of Montolivo. Sporting director Pantaleo Corvino recently made this comment to Sportmediaset (h/t goal.com):

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"Having looked at Montolivo's will, we will now see what solutions the transfer market offers us. We only want motivated players for our future."

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Milan may have to budge in the end and give something up. A young midfielder is a big need right now as Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf are only getting older.

Cassano played well for Milan with four goals and four assists after his January transfer from Sampdoria, however, he is the fourth preference up top behind Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Milan have several capable backups in Cassano, Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Paloschi. I love Cassano, but I do not see his loss as detrimental to the club's success this season.

Montolivo played 29 times for Fiorentina last season while recording two goals and three assists.

In another high-profile move, it is looking ever more likely that Santos playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso will be joining AC Milan, possibly in January, and talks are set to begin between the club and his agent.

The 21-year-old Brazilian has long been a target of the Rossoneri, who see him as a long-awaited replacement to Kaka.

The youngster has been playing fantastically at Santos, where the Brazilian outfit currently boast one of the best non-European clubs in the world, with Ganso and 19-year-old Neymar recently leading the team to glory in the Copa Libertadores.

Milan have always been one of the favorites for the midfielder, but while interest from the likes of Inter Milan and Chelsea have disappeared for the most part, newly-sparked interest from Russian side Anzhi Makhackala and French revelation Paris Saint-Germain has revealed itself.

Both Anzhi and PSG have been pursuing big names this summer, with Anzhi earlier linked to Milan's Gennaro Gattuso and have already reportedly issued a bid for Ganso (which it denied). PSG are back in the mix in France and have also been linked with Clint Dempsey of Fulham.

Despite interest from other clubs, Milan seems to undoubtedly be where Ganso will further his football career. Milan's Brazilian players, mainly Thiago Silva, have made it their goal to convince their compatriot to join the club and he is convinced, according to agent Dario Paloillo. In an interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport (h/t goal.com), he said the following:

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"I don't know where this information of an offer from Paris Saint-Germain has come from. It is pure invention.

"We are not interested in PSG's petrodollars. Ganso wants to play in Italy with AC Milan.

"He wants to play against the likes of Inter, Roma and Juventus and he is fascinated by the Italian league.

"In the next few weeks we will meet with Milan directors to see if the transfer can happen.

"He can leave now, or wait until January as this would give him the chance to play in the Club World Cup in December against Barcelona."

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His arrival will most likely come in January as mentioned, meaning that until then, Kevin-Prince Boateng will continue as Milan's trequartista. After Ganso arrives, he will likely fall back into the midfield with Montolivo.

Things are looking very good for Allegri's men as they look to repeat as Italian champions and retake their spot among Europe's greatest.