Russian president Vladimir Putin is being linked with investment in AC Milan.

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi declared last week he was prepared to sell a stake in the club to foreign interest and Gazzetta dello Sport says Putin is ready to buy in via the partially state-owned utility company Gazprom.

Berlusconi travelled to Russia for four days on "non-political" business. Talks over Gazprom buying a stake in the seven-time European champions are believed to be the reason.

Gazprom already invests heavily in the sport and is the shirt sponsor of 1991 European Cup winners Red Star Belgrade, Russian side Zenit St Petersburg and Bundesliga outfit Schalke. The Italian sports daily believes the company will purchase a 25% stake in return for a €180 million cash injection.