AC Milan Transfer Update: Milan, Cagliari Reportedly Working on Keeper Swap

According to Sky Sport 24, a deal is in the works which will see AC Milan backup goalkeeper Marco Amelia head to Cagliari while the Rossoneri would acquire out-of-favor Federico Marchetti from the Sardinians.

Marchetti has been owned by Cagliari since 2009 after impressing in a full season loan from AlbinoLeffe during the 2008-09 season. After requesting a transfer last summer, the 28-year-old goalkeeper was punished by being dropped to third string.

For obvious reasons, Marchetti once again wants out this summer.

Since it became obvious that Marchetti wanted out of Cagliari, he has been linked several times to the Italian champions, however, negotiations never took place.

As an offer for Marchetti, Milan have reportedly offered Amelia, who is looking to return to a first team role as he had with Genoa before joining Milan this past season. Milan bought Amelia after his season long loan, but that was to ensure a stronger No. 2 than Flavio Roma.

Marchetti would remain on the bench for now, but he is seen as a replacement to Christian Abbiati at the San Siro.

This reported deal comes shortly after an agreement was reached between the two clubs that makes Davide Astori a permanent member of Cagliari. Astori had been playing for Cagliari in a co-ownership and the two sides were struggling to reach an agreement.

The buy-out, which was in the vicinity of $5.75 million, comes as the clubs were nearing a point where the only solution would have been a blind auction, with each placing a secret bid without knowledge of what the other was offering.

Another potential cooperation between the two clubs could be int he works. Reports in Italy suggest that the two sides are working together in a move for Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli.

The 21-year-old has been a target for several clubs recently, and with Sampdoria's recent relegation to Serie B, it is likely that he could be available at a reduced fee. Milan are working with Cagliari on this because the Rossoneri would want him to develop before he could break into the first team.

To briefly sum up other Milan news, rumors of an Antonio Cassano move away from the San Siro continue to remain rumors. The Italian has been linked with several clubs, including Liverpool, but most recently it was rumored that Cassano could be part of a bid for Napoli captain Marek Hamsik.

However, Cassano's agent, Guiseppe Bozzo, has made it clear that he does not think Cassano will be leaving anytime soon. "Cassano will remain at Milan as long as he is useful to the Rossoneri club," Bozzo told Gazetta Dello Sport.

It was confirmed in recent days that Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alberto Paloschi are officially permanent Milan players from Genoa. Boateng spent last season on a highly successful loan with Milan while Paloschi has been with both Parma and Genoa as part of a co-ownership with Milan.

The young forward made seven league appearances with two goals in early 2008. Also on his way from Genoa is Stephan El Shaarway. The 18-year-old will be joining Milan on a co-ownership while Alexander Merkel will be going the other way on loan.

Another report out of Brazil was also released on Gazetta.it reporting that Santos superstar Ganso has been learning Italian while unable to train due to a thigh injury. AC Milan and Inter Milan have long been the two favorites with Chelsea also in the top three to land Ganso, but the Brazilian club have been reluctant to sell.

Ganso and fellow wanted superstar Neymar, rumored to be a hopeful acquisition of Chelsea and Real Madrid, are the reason that Santos is in the Copa Libertadores Final, though Ganso's injury left him unavailable for the first leg last week and tonight's second leg.