AC Milan Transfer News: Maxi Lopez Will Join Club If Carlos Tevez Deal Fails

AC Milan and Catania Calcio have reached an agreement that would see Maxi Lopez join Milan on loan for the remainder of the season starting in January, according to reports. However, the deal has been suspended for 10 days as Milan are currently working on finalizing a deal with Manchester City to bring Carlos Tevez in on loan.

The transfer window doesn't open until the turn of the calender into 2012, meaning Lopez can't make the switch until then.

The Italian champs, currently in second in Serie A, are looking for a fourth major attacking option due to the recent heart surgery of Antonio Cassano. With the club currently competing in two and soon three competitions, they need fresh legs at all times and only have their big three: Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Robinho available up top.

Tevez is the clear number one option and Milan are the favorites to land him. However, if terms in the Tevez deal cannot be reached, Lopez is guaranteed to join Milan.

Lopez, 27, earlier this season said that he "wants to help Zlatan Ibrahimovic win the Champions League." Unlike Tevez, Lopez has not made an appearance in the UEFA Champions League this season as Catania came nowhere close to qualifying this season.

A deal to land Lopez was simple, with Catania's chief executive Pietro Lo Monaco saying that just the fact that Milan like him is good enough for them and that if the Rossoneri want him they would not get in the way.

Rumors have swirled about several players joining Milan since Cassano was ruled out. However the list is clearly narrowed down to Tevez or Lopez. We'll know very soon who will be wearing red and black after the break.