The agent of Sampdoria midfielder Angelo Palombo has cooled talk of a move to AC Milan. "There's no way Sampdoria would sell him," said Lorenzo Marronaro. "They just won't consider it ... he's the captain of the club."

Meanwhile, Roma's in-form Matteo Brighi is also in Milan sights as they seek a replacement for knee injury victim Rino Gattuso.

Brighi has been outstanding for Roma this season and only signed a new four-year contract earlier this year.