AC Milan Transfer Rumours: Cesc Fabregas and 10 Best Possibilities

Following Andrea Pirlo's departure, the pressure is on AC Milan to dip into the transfer market and lure a top quality midfielder to the San Siro.

And to mount a serious challenge in the UEFA Champions League again, the Serie A champions will also look to sign a new striker and exciting young players to make the Rossoneri a force in Europe once again.

After the defence was bolstered with the signings of Taye Taiwo and Philippe Mexes, it's now the turn of the midfield and attack to receive some strengthening.

Therefore, here are the 10 top transfer possibilities for AC Milan this summer.

Cesc Fabregas

Michael Steele/Getty Images

BOLTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal shoots at goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Reebok Stadium on April 24, 2011 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

After AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani dismissed Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas as too expensive for the Rossoneri, pressure has been put on the club to pay out for the Spaniard instead of plumping for Napoli's Marek Hamsik.

As the Serie A winners look for a suitable replacement for Andrea Pirlo, many around the San Siro feel Hamsik isn't consistent enough and wouldn't make as much an impact as Fabregas would in Italy.

And as Cesc Fabregas, 24, has previously revealed his desire to play for Milan, a big money summer transfer for the playmaker could well be in the cards. 

Gareth Bale

Clive Rose/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Gareth Bale of Spurs is pursued by Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 30, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Get

Transfer chief Galliani has outlined a left-sided midfielder as AC Milan's biggest transfer priority this summer.

And one such player mentioned, and loved inside Italian football circles, is Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale.

With explosive pace and acceleration suited to the counter-attack style of catenaccio played in Serie A, a move to the San Siro for Bale could well be a distinct possibility, with the player very well respected by the club, having come up against them in the UEFA Champions League.

Rafael Van Der Vaart

Scott Heavey/Getty Images

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 07: Rafael Van der Vaart of Spurs reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Blackpool at White Hart Lane on May 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Another player outlined by Galliani was Tottenham's other midfield sensation, Rafael Van der Vaart, who turned out to be the bargain of the season in the Premier League following his move from Real Madrid.

A player with vast experience at the very highest level, trequartista Van der Vaart could well be the perfect fit for AC Milan.

And having expressed his desire to play in the Champions League again, a move could be in the cards.

Stephan El Shaarawy

Dino Panato/Getty Images

PADOVA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 10: Stephan El Shaarawy (C) of Padova celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie B match between Padova and Reggina at Stadio Euganeo on September 10, 2010 in Padova, Italy. (Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images)

Teenage sensation Stephan El Shaarawy, 18, is said to be the next big thing in Italy, with reports claiming AC Milan have lined him up to add creativity to the side, and quite possibly be the next Andrea Pirlo.

Said to be available for £9 million, the Genoa star (who spent the season on loan at Serie B side Padova) is considered a cheaper, more viable option than the likes of Cesc Fabregas.

Whilst he may not be the signing the San Siro faithful were hoping for, El Shaarawy could well turn out to be one of Milan's best ever investments.

Romelu Lukaku

RSC Anderlecht sensation Romelu Lukaku, 18, is set to be the next Didier Drogba, and quite possibly, the next best striker in Europe.

Having already scored twice in nine caps for Belgium, as well as 39 goals in his professional career in the Belgian top-flight, Lukaku has what it takes to be a big success at the San Siro.

With Filippo Inzaghi running on his last legs and Alexandre Pato forever injury-prone, AC Milan will be waiting in the wings and most likely will secure Lukaku's signature if his apparent move to Chelsea breaks down.

Axel Witsel

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 18: Evertons James Vaughan in action with Axel Witsel of Standard Liege during the UEFA Cup first round, first leg match, between Everton and Standard Liege at Goodison Park,on September 18, 2008 in Liverpool, Englan

Transfer chief Adriano Galliani has admitted talks are under way with Standard Liege over the signing of hard-tackling midfielder Axel Witsel.

Keen to test his mettle in a top-league, Witsel is clearly not adverse to moving to AC Milan and is being lined up by the Rossoneri to replace the ageing Gennaro Gattuso.

Despite being told to increase their bid for the Belgian star, it appears only a matter of time before Axel Witsel is an AC Milan player.

Michael Essien

Dan Istitene/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Michael Essien of Chelsea wins the ball ahead of Carlton Cole of West Ham during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on April 23, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Ist

Keen to add more athleticism, energy and a higher work rate into their ageing midfield, AC Milan are reportedly keen on Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.

The Rossoneri have apparently been eyeing an £18 million swoop for the dynamic midfielder for the past month and could try and land the Ghana international if he feels his future is best served away from Stamford Bridge and the Premier League.

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 23: Javier Zanetti of Inter Milan clashes with Bastian Schweinsteiger of FC Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Inter Milan v FC Bayern Muenchen on February 23, 2011 in Milan, Italy

Having failed in their bid to lure Miroslav Klose to the San Siro, AC Milan look set to raid Bayern Munich for key midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Another top talent who'd add a new dimension to the Rossoneri midfield, 87-time capped Germany international Schweinsteiger, 26, is exactly the player Milan and Adriano Galliani are targeting.

And considering the strong rapport between the two clubs, and the fact Schweinsteiger's former teammate Mark Van Bommel is at AC Milan, this is a transfer which might well happen. 

Didier Drogba

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Didier Drogba of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Having visibly shown his disdain at being dropped in place of Fernando Torres, Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge ever since the season ended.

Reports have suggested AC Milan could make an £11 million swoop for the unsettled forward, with Drogba, 33, still having the ability, and the legs, to be a force in Serie A.

And considering the unreliability surrounding the fitness of Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi, as well as Drogba's vast experience for Chelsea at the very highest level, it's a transfer which might just happen.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 07: Emmanuel Adebayor of Real Madrid in action during the La Liga match between Sevilla and Real Madrid at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 7, 2011 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

With former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor having no future at Real Madrid or at parent club Manchester City, the Togo international will have to find a new club this summer.

And that club could well be AC Milan, with Adriano Galliani apparently keen to bring Didier Drogba and him to the San Siro to freshen up the front line and give increased competition to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato.

Adebayor had previously agreed a move to AC Milan before Manchester City came in and took him from Arsenal, so if the reports are true, it may not be long before the Togolese forward is announced as a Rossoneri player.