The agent of Palermo sensation Josip Ilicic has revealed how AC Milan failed to land the youngster in the summer.

The 22-year-old Slovenian midfielder was snapped up for just €1.8m after impressing in the Europa League play-off for Maribor against Palermo.

"On the last day of the season he was wanted by Cesena, Fiorentina and Napoli, but it was Milan who in my view lost a big opportunity," agent Armin Ruznic told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The Rossoneri had shown a strong interest in Josip and we talked it over with Coach Massimiliano Allegri, who had actually played alongside me at Pescara, but at the end of the day nothing happened.

"It's better for Palermo that it went this way, but just you wait and see - within a couple of years Milan will come back fighting for him."