AC Milan: Porto President Calls Milan's Hulk Interest a "Joke," Talks Cissokho

You know those stupid rumors that pop up before every transfer window? It seems like AC Milan sees a lot of them.

It started with the claimed interest in Cristiano Ronaldo. The media were quick to draw speculation after Silvio Berlusconi all but proclaimed his love for the Portuguese winger a couple weeks ago.

Truth is, the Italian Prime Minister is right up there with EVERY SINGLE CLUB IN THE WORLD! Anybody who says they would not want Cristiano Ronaldo in their team, no matter how good the club is (Barcelona) are kidding themselves.

The realistic errors in this interest are that 1) Ronaldo would cost close to $100 million more than likely, 2) with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Pato, Antonio Cassano, and a soon to be healthy Filippo Inzaghi, the Rossoneri are quite alright at the top. Milan have lit the net on fire in Serie A this season with 61 goals from 35 matches, an average of 1.74 per game. Only Inter best them at 62, but the city rivals are also eight points back with three matches left. Also 3) Ronaldo is in his second season at Real Madrid. The odds of him leaving are slim.

From one ridiculous conjecture to the next as Milan have reportedly claimed interest in Brazilian star Hulk. The FC Porto striker is one of the most feared in the business and would also not come cheap.

Again, if Milan want to add one more striker, someone who is comfortable being fifth in the pecking order, that is fine by me. The main focus should be the midfield, where names like Ganso and Porto's defensive mid Fernando have been circling the wagon.

After a midfielder, center back is next priority followed by a backup goalkeeper as it seems likely that Marco Amelia will return to Genoa at season's end after his one-year loan.

Porto president Pinto da Costa slammed Milan's "efforts" to get the 24-year-old in statements to Record. He also made reference to Milan's failed attempts to land fullback Aly Cissokho, who was reportedly ready to be unveiled at the Milanello before a failed physical due to "teeth issues" canceled the deal.

The 23-year old Frenchman has gone on to become vital to Olympique Lyon's back line.

"It must be a joke," da Costa said in reference to Milan's Hulk interest. "They previously wanted Cissokho and they could not do it. They got that story about his teeth as an excuse, when in fact Cissokho has better teeth than me. That is ridiculous."

"We have no offers for any player. We do not want to talk to anyone. Whoever wants to sign [our players], they will have to meet the release clauses and even then it is necessary that the player wants to go."

As I said, I even laugh at this. It would be nice to have a talented striker lined up as Ibrahimovic, Cassano, and Robinho are all heading towards 30 and Milanista always are nervous to see Pato's name annually linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, and many others.

However, the current front men are here to stay for now and are a front line worthy of booking a ticket to Munich next May for the Champions League Final.

With the addition of a midfielder or two, a center back, and a backup keeper, THEN possibly a fifth forward, this team will be the closest thing to matching the talent and quality of Barcelona and could certainly beat the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Chelsea.