Riccardo Montolivo Update: Milan Lowballing Fiorentina, Should Cassano Be Sold?

AC Milan are ready to make a move for Fiorentina want-away Riccardo Montolivo.

According to ESPN, the 26-year-old has been stripped of his captaincy at La Viola and is closer to a move away from the team.

Last week, it was reported that Milan were ready to make an offer, but the initial offer was rejected by Fiorentina.

This initial offer would have given Fiorentina six million euros plus the services of backup forward Antonio Cassano. This failed to take shape because Fiorentina made known they would only consider a move for no less than 10 million and Cassano.

In this case, Milan have in fact lowered the offer. This time, the club are offering 5.5 million euros along with Alberto Paloschi (Tuttosport, h/t goal.com).

Paloschi is finally back with the Rossoneri this summer after spending time away as part of co-ownership with both Parma and Genoa. He first made noise at Milan when 18 seconds after coming off the bench in his debut, he fired home a goal.

He made only nine appearances and scored four goals as a midfielder in his debut run for Milan, but Ronaldinho's arrival in the summer of 2008 meant his time would be next to none, so a co-ownership was begun with Parma. After 58 games and 16 goals there, he moved to Genoa this past winter as Parma gave up their end of the co-ownership.

As Milan and Genoa worked out all their loans and business together this summer, Paloschi became a permanent member of Milan again.

Is it meant to last?

Odds are, Fiorentina are not going to bite. Montolivo is one of the best players in Italy and in the prime of his career. He is becoming a key player for Cesare Prandelli in the Italian national team set up. I actually think 10 million plus Cassano is only because they need to get rid of him seeing as he is entering a contract year and he has absolutely no intention of playing for the club this year.

Milan are likely just playing a game with the Florentine club at the moment. They are trying to see if they can get the club to bite below their original asking price.

The Italian champs should consider selling Antonio Cassano. Manager Massimilliano Allegri recently praised Cassano and does not see him leaving anytime soon while Cassano has also expressed his happiness. However, Cassano is known for having issues when he is not a regular in the team, as pointed out by Luciano Moggi, though he thinks Napoli are Cassano's ideal club.

Cassano was warned by Prandelli that he may be risking his spot in the national team if he is not regularly playing in the first team with Euro 2012 on the way. This is something Cassano needs to think about for his career. While he loves Milan, his future with the Azzurri could be in doubt.

With six healthy, quality forwards at his disposal, Allegri will have trouble finding room for Cassano.

Do not take this the wrong way, fellow Milanista. I love Antonio Cassano and love seeing him in red and black, but we need to realize that Milan are gunning to win the Champions League. They are overloaded up top while the midfield needs to be adjusted. Montolivo makes Milan a much better club. Is it worth losing Cassano to improve the midfield? I think so.