AC Milan have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder
Mathieu Flamini on a four-year contract - but the club expect to
miss out on Chelsea's Didier Drogba.
Flamini is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the
season and today agreed to join the Italian club in a deal which
will begin on July 1.
Milan have also been strongly linked with Chelsea striker Drogba
in Europe but Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida does not
anticipate the Ivory Coast forward joining Flamini at the San Siro
this summer
He told PA Sport: 'Drogba is a very interesting player that many
clubs would want to have but he is under contract at Chelsea and I
believe he will remain at Chelsea next season.'
As for France international Flamini, Braida revealed Milan coach
Carlo Ancelotti is a great admirer of the 24-year-old.
'I have to say Flamini was a player that Ancelotti really
wanted and Milan is like a family, where decisions are made
jointly,' he said.
Arsenal had hoped Flamini would agree a deal to stay at
the Emirates Stadium, but they always knew it would be difficult
with outfits like Juventus and Milan coveting the player.
'Flamini is not an unknown player,' said Braida. 'Just
like Didier Drogba isn't.
'I'm not surprised by his talent and I assume several
teams would have wanted his services.
'Although no negotiations are ever easy, it wasn't
difficult to convince Flamini to join Milan.
'Flamini has made a choice as his contract with Arsenal is
coming to an end and we are delighted he has chosen Milan.
'He is a very good player and he can offer a lot to the
team.'
Flamini expressed his joy at the move after finalising
terms with the Serie A outfit.
'I am extremely happy. Thanks a million,' he said.
Despite the offer of a lucrative new five-year deal -
understood to be worth around £55,000-a-week - from the north
London club, Flamini's head was turned by Milan's interest.
Juventus were also reported to be tracking the player, who
has formed a fine partnership with Cesc Fabregas this season after
looking to be on his way out of the club at the end of the last
campaign.
He put in an impressive performance at the San Siro as
Arsene Wenger's team knocked Milan out of the Champions League at
the last-16 stage in March.
It is understood the former Marseille man said his
goodbyes to some staff as he left the car park after yesterday's
home win over Everton in the Premier League.
He will compete for a place in the Rossoneri midfield with
Brazil star Kaka and the Italy trio of Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea
Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.
Milan beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 today to climb into
the final qualifying place for the Champions League, leapfrogging
Fiorentina who lost 2-1 at Cagliari.
Flamini's last match as an Arsenal player will be Sunday's
Premier League trip to Sunderland.
Bye flamini, u can go be an AC milan DOG, that lost to arsenal.
Its ok, we just groomed u for nth.. fk off.
