AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi claims Andrea Pirlo will end his career at the San Siro, dashing Chelsea's hopes of a signing. "Andrea Pirlo has been taken off the market," he told reporters. "He will stay with us and finish his career at Milan.

"You know that our Andrea Pirlo was wanted by Chelsea with a suitable economic offer.

"We also talked with the player and we decided to accept Leonardo's request to keep Pirlo."

The 30-year-old is also delighted to see out his playing days with Milan. "Today is a very good day," he told Milan Channel. "I am very happy to be able to finish my career here.

"This is thanks to the president Silvio Berlusconi, to Adriano Galliani and to Leonardo who, by taking me off the market, have given me the possibility to end my career here.

"When they told me the news I was very happy, finally the saga of this summer is over and we can continue the adventure in rossonero."

He added: "I had the possibility of changing teams and adventure but at the end in mutual agreement, the club and I, decided to continue and we are all happier.

"It was a turbulent summer with many doubts but at the end, in my family, we are all happier to remain in Milan."