AC Milan Transfer Rumors: 4 Players the Rossoneri Should Consider Selling

Hello and welcome to my first slideshow for Bleacher Report

It's been a busy summer so far for the red and black side of Milan. After winning the Scudetto for the first time since the 2003-2004 season the Rossoneri have looked to strengthen an already fabulous squad. The arrivals of Mexes, Taye Taiwo, Stephan El-Sharaawy and Alberto Paloschi have gone well with the Milanese faithful and have all strengthened the squad in their respective positions.

And while there have been some purchases, the Milan fans have also had to say goodbye to a club legend and one of the greatest Center Midfielders of all time in Andrea Pirlo. The Brescia born midfielder waved goodbye to the club a couple of weeks ago after a stellar ten seasons with the Rossoneri. Sokratis Papastathopulous (try saying that five times) has also returned to Genoa after a disappointing first season, although in my opinion he was never given a chance to shine.

So without any further Ado, let me introduce to you, the 6 Players Adriano Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi should consider selling. My choices will be based on weather or not:

• The player is too old.
• The player is past their prime.
• The player being sold would be good business.
• The player is ruining the teams chances of succeeding.  

Gennaro Gattuso

When you think of Milan as a team the players that probably come to mind are the star players such as Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Robinho. But when you think of Milan as an opponent then the one player that you can't get out of your head is Rino Gattuso.

Gattuso has been with Milan ever since 1999 and since then has won 2 Scudetti, 1 Coppa Italia, 1 Italian SuperCup, 2 Uefa Super Cup and 2 Uefa Champions Leagues. While also with Milan Rino has also won Uefa U-21 Euro's as well as the greatest accomplishment in a players career, The Fifa World Cup. Therefore it is pretty easy to say Gattuso is one of the most accomplished midfielders of all time.

Gattuso is deployed in the team as a destroyer. His job is to break up the oppositions attacks and provide the ball to the more talented midfielders like Andrea Pirlo. He performed this to the utmost perfection during Carlo Ancelotti's reign between 2002-2009 and between that time he was undoubtedly the worlds best defensive midfielder. But the problem now is that Ancelotti as well as Pirlo are both gone. Gattuso has actually had a brilliant season under Allegri compared to his form under Leonardo, but Allegri's new look Milan side plays in a  completely different way. First of all, Allegri plays with three midfielders. One holding midfielder (Mark Van Bommel), An attacking midfielder with pace so he can also defend (Kevin Prince Boateng) and the talk of the summer so far has been the mysterious "Mr.X" who is being targeted by the Milan directors. According to Maximilliano Allegri this player wears a size 11 boot and is 183cm tall. These characteristics perfectly fit the description of Arjen Robben and Axel Witsel but the one that Galliani himself has been after for 4 long years is Bastian Schewinsteiger.

Recent reports say that interest from Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala have offered the combative Gattuso a lucrative offer to move to North-East Europe. This would be a nice last pay-day before Rino retires.

Reason for selling: Past his prime.  

Luca Antonini

Luca Antonini is the only player in the entire Milan squad who is actually from Milan. He is also along with Ignazio Abate, Alberto Paloschi, Giacomo Berreta, Alexandre Pato and Alexander Merkel the only graduates from the Milan academy. So it is very understandable why Galliani wants to keep him at the club.

Antonini showed brilliant form under Leonardo during the 2009-2010 season. Back then he was being mentioned in the same breath as Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra and Taye Taiwo (Who Milan have just signed). But his performances in the red and black under Allegri have been nothing short of dreadful. He in my opinion is the reason why Milan were knocked out of the Champions League lasts season as his lack of defensive skills were exposed against the pace of Aaron Lennon. This isn't necessarily his fault seeing as he is actually right footed.   

While it would be sad to see the only Milanese player leave the squad, reports have recently stated that Genoa have made a bid of 15 million for Luca. Football is a business, and selling Antonini for 15 Million Euros is great business.

Reason for selling: Making Profit 

Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf. The man has had a fantastic career. He is arguably the most professional player in the entire world. He is also one of the most likable players in the entire world. He's achieved by himself what some of the "biggest" clubs in the world have achieved in their history (Cough Chelsea).

Seedorf had a very disappointing start to the season which was highlighted by him being booed while getting substituted in a 4-4 draw against Udinese. However he turned his fortunes around and is one of the main reasons while Il Diavolo were successful in their bid to win the league. During his time with Milan he has won:

2 League Titles

1 Coppa Italia

1 Italian Supercup

2 Uefa Super cups

2 Uefa Champions League

1 Fifa Club World Cup 

He has won 4 Champions Leagues in his career which is more than what Manchester United have won in the entire history and is equal with Barcelona. He is one of the most accomplished players of all time and a club legend. But his body is starting to give up on him.

Reason for selling: Past his prime 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Now, this may come as a surprise to all of you but hear me out.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the reason why Milan won the Scudetto last season. His ability to create something out of nothing is something unique which even the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo aren't able to do. If you want evidence of this then watch his goals last season against Lecce and Fiorentina.

But the problem here is that Ibra can only play in one certain way. That way is the team being evolved around him, and him only. This is what Barcelona realized last season and is why Milan were able to get him in such a bargain of a deal. Barcelona are known for being a team and playing as a team with everyone as a equal. Sure Messi, Iniesta and Xavi get most of the praise but they wouldn't be able to do half as well as they could if it wasn't for the likes of Busquets, Alves or Pique. Zlatan ability wise is the third best player in the world and for the last nine successive years he has won the league wherever he has gone. But not the Champions League.

The reason for this is because when you are playing against world class teams then it is easy for them to shut you down if you only have one real source of danger. Zlatan was playing in Inter. He couldn't win the Champions League for four seasons. He then decided to move to Barcelona to win the Champions league. As soon as he left Inter, Inter won the Champions League.

He then tried winning the Champions League with Barcelona and he failed. He goes to AC Milan to try win the Champions League. As soon as he leaves Barca, Barcelona are crowned the new Champions League winners. Coincidence? I think not. So say he leaves now for someone like Manchester City to win the Champions League. Who would want to bet against me that Milan won't be European champions next season?

Ibra's talents are unquestioned but his knack of being a one man show is costing the Rossoneri dearly.

Reason for selling: Stopping team from reaching full potential