Milan Midfielder Ignazio Abate Could Be Loaned Out. Again

Fiorentina are interested in acquiring Milan winger Ignazio Abate on loan for the coming season, Corriere dello Sport is reporting.

This would be the seventh move away from Milan while remaining with the club.

From 2004 to 2007, he was loaned to Napoli, Sampdoria, Piacenza, and Modena. For the 2007/2008 season, he was sent as a co-ownership to Empoli. The next season was a co-ownership with Torino.

Prior to the 2009/2010 season, he had only made two appearances for Milan, in Coppa Italia and the UEFA Champions' League during the 2003/2004 season.

Upon his return to Milan, he made 36 appearances in Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the UEFA Champions' League, starting primarily as a reserve outside midfielder before becoming a regular at the right back spot.

Milan were pleased with Abate's performances and offered him a contract extension through 2014 in February.

But that was under the management of Leonardo.

New manager Massimiliano Allegri has told Abate that he does not figure into his plans at the San Siro, and was free to leave if possible.

Fiorentina boss Sinisa Mihajlovic has asked his club and technical director Pantaleo Corvino to make a move for Abate before the transfer window closes in a few days.

Despite Allegri's comments to Abate, the 23-year old is on the 21-man roster for Milan's final preseason warmup tomorrow in the Gamper Trophy against Barcelona at the Camp Nou.