Lecce Coach: Djamel Mesbah Left off Squad 'Because He Is Going to Join Milan'

Lecce manager Serse Cosmi has left midfielder/defender Djamel Mesbah off of Lecce's 20-man roster to play against Fiorentina Sunday, saying the Alergian will be joining AC Milan next week, according to reports.

Mesbah has been one of Lecce's better players this season, starting and playing the full 90 in all 12 matches he has played in thus far, and has a goal and an assist. 

He has played in so few games because he missed the entire month of November with a muscle injury.

Mesbah has been linked to Milan for most of the month now; the two sides met this week for preliminary talks, according to several Milan beats. 

According to Cosmi, Mesbah has most likely made his last appearance for the club.

From Cosmi's pre-match press conference:

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"Mesbah is not in the squad because he is going to join Milan.  There is nothing official yet, but he should make the move at the start of next week.  Plus, his wife is set to give birth at any moment, so it is better that he stays at home during this time."

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At this point, nothing is set in stone and Milan CEO Adriano Galliani hasn't commented on the situation, but it seems very likely that Mesbah becomes the first signing of the winter transfer mercato for AC Milan.

The 27-year-old can play at left-back, which has Milan extremely interested in him. 

Taye Taiwo came in on a Bosman move in the summer, but hasn't panned out and has made Massimiliano Allegri frustrated as the hole at left-back remains unfilled.

The other appetizing plus side to Mesbah is his price.  His contract expires in June, but since Milan could use the left-back help now, he would come cheap. 

German transfer analysis website transfermarket.de has Mesbah valued at €1 million, but Milan may be able to get him for half of that with his contract expiring. 

In addition to the fee, it is also likely that Lecce could ask for Milan to take back midfielder Rodney Strasser, who Lecce took on loan. 

The Sierra Leonean international is on loan until June, but is out until at least March with a leg injury.

The addition of Stasser to the deal would take the burden of paying a loaned, injured player for a struggling team.

Rumors indicate that Milan and Lecce will meet again on Monday to discuss the move, but nothing is official yet.