The stumbling block could be Gilardino, however, with the striker's £2.2 million salary well above Roma's current £1.7 million-a-year wage cap. The capital club would have to risk dressing room disquiet to add Gilardino to a squad which has approved only Francesco Totti and Daniele de Rossi in receiving above the current wage ceiling.
For now, the deal is in its early stages, but Milan chiefs are eager to explore the prospect.