Atalanta sporting director Giovanni Sartori admits interest in AC Milan pair Jose Mauri and M'Baye Niang.

Sartori says they were keen on both players last summer.

"Jose Mauri? We think he is a good player, we know him very well as we also followed him last year," he said to Milan Channel.

“There was a small chance in the last two days of the summer market. We had a midfielder on the way out and if he had left, the ideal replacement was Mauri.

“Then the deal fell through and we stayed as we were, so we didn't go on the attack for Jose.

“He's a player who we value. Another player who we liked was Niang. Our attack could go very well with his characteristics.

“He's a player who we tried to get in August, we tried to consult AC Milan, but he was coming back from an injury and the Rossoneri were not willing to sell.

“But he is a player who we've asked Galliani for.

“We're hoping we won't need anyone in January, but they are two players who we like a lot."