AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella blames transfer talk for fans turning on Mattia de Sciglio.

The fullback has been linked with Juventus and Liverpool in the past week.

For defeat to Empoli, supporters jeered De Sciglio loudly when he was substituted and then surrounded his car on the way out, hurling insults.

Montella remarked: “I think a player ought to accept jeers when they are done with civility on the pitch. A spectator has every right to express his disappointment.

“A Coach and a player can be jeered, it's understandable when losing at home to Empoli. De Sciglio is part of Milan's heritage, he has the strength to react and change the current opinions of him. Personally, I was both jeered and praised at Roma.

“I know that you are just doing your jobs, but there is too much talk about transfers and not just with regards to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The club told us to focus on the end of the season, because it's fundamental that we get into Europe.

“Too often agents and reporters try to create stories. I do not prefer Alvaro Morata to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, nor Karim Benzema to Edinson Cavani, or who knows what other name.

“The club is getting the know the market, that is not what I am interested in right now. We have to continue working with and improving the current squad. So please, stop sending 'messages' to the players and to me, because our heads are on the present."