After losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG, could AC Milan survive the sale of Stephan El Shaarawy?

Manchester United is a confirmed suitor, while Real Madrid and the aforementioned PSG are also being mentioned as El Shaarawy takes Serie A by storm.

But given the gushing praise from Italian football identities already this season, it's difficult to see how Milan powerbrokers Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani could survive cashing in on the 20 year-old:

DEJAN SAVICEVIC (EX-MILAN MIDFIELDER): "He must still grow, but Stephan will become a great player. Milan is the right place to explode, El Shaarawy has all the qualities to become a great, he's quick and has a nose for goal."

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO (EX-MILAN STRIKER): "He's fast, has great technique, and has the freshness and clarity you need in decisive moments. I'm watching his progress. He reminds me a little of myself."

ANGELO CARBONE (EX-MILAN MIDFIELDER): "Against Zenit he has proven to be a quality player. He is handling the responsibility despite his young age, but this is also about Allegri. El Shaarawy deserves the starting spot, it is clear now that Pato and Robinho will have to fight to win a place back in the team."

EMILIANO MONDONICO (EX-CREMONESE, FIORENTINA COACH): "He reminds me of Gianluca Vialli when I had him at Cremonese."

MASSIMILIANO ALLEGRI (MILAN COACH): "El-Shaa must grow in so many ways. Last year, in the matches that he played he did well. When you begin to play, you can make a discount for age. But the fact that he played 28 times is an advantage. He needs to improve, he will play and work every day."

MAURIZIO GANZ (EX-MILAN STRIKER): "In difficult times my son said to me, he is a phenomenon. He had the chance to play for the injury troubles of Pato and Robinho and was very good at exploiting his chances. He's like Neymar and I love him from afar. I like him because is very good with his finishing. And he's a smart player, who is now discovering that he's a centre-forward."

JOSE ALFATINI (EX-JUVENTUS STRIKER): "He reminds me of Messi and Neymar who have low centre of gravity, plays with the ball always glued to the feet. He has already proven to be strong, the important thing is he stays fit and strong."

MICHELE SBRAVATI (HEAD OF GENOA ACADEMY): "Genoa took him on August 4, 2003. We acquired El Shaarawy when he was five, he was the first arrival from the Preziosi football school. Up to 13-14 years we thought he would become a player and at that age we were sure we had on our hands a star. Technique combined with speed, a combination that makes the difference. Just look at the goal against Zenit."

ILARIO CASTAGNER (EX-MILAN, INTER COACH): "El Shaarawy is showing his qualities, what he can do. Even with less experience we will have to use him properly. From what I can see, he is now the future of Italy."

GIANLUCA ZAMBROTTA (EX-MILAN FULLBACK): "El Shaarawy can be a player who can give that little bit extra to Milan and the national team."

CESARE PRANDELLI (ITALY COACH): "El Shaarawy is a young boy who is entering the league like a bull. He's like other young players for our future, we must follow them and make them grow better."

ARRIGO SACCHI (EX-MILAN COACH): "He's much improved, but to become a protagonist in our football he should not lose the ability to communicate with the rest of the team."

ADRIANO GALLIANI (MILAN VICE-PRESIDENT): "El Shaarawy is an investment for this club and we are very happy with him. Manchester United have fallen in love with him? Our policy is to focus on youngsters and he won't be moving from here. Stephan El Shaarawy is not even 20 years old yet, so we must stay calm and not put too much responsibility on his shoulders."