• Premier League

Milan will resist any City bid for Thiago Silva

ESPN staff
May 24, 2012
Thiago Silva is on Manchester City's radar, according to some reports © PA Photos
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AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani insists his club will reject all offers for much sought-after defender Thiago Silva, who is a reported target for Premier League champions Manchester City.

Silva, 27, has been linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer, with a number of top European clubs keen to acquire his services.

On Wednesday, City striker Mario Balotelli was forced to quash persistent rumours that he could be included in a swap deal for Silva and now Galliani has stated Milan's desire to retain the Brazilian's services.

"We will do all that is possible and impossible to resist temptation,'' Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Thiago Silva is happy to remain in Milan. He has a contract until 2016.''

Barcelona and Paris St Germain are also among the clubs believed to be chasing Silva and Galliani said: "There is a true siege for him. It seems every club wants him, rich clubs and their owners.''

Silva will be in action in London this summer, with the defender set to play at the Olympics with Brazil. "Thiago asked and obtained the authorisation from us to go to the Olympics,'' Galliani said. "We evaluated that it's better for us to have a player who is happy rather than unhappy.''

The centre-back joined Milan in 2009 from Fluminense after previous unsuccessful spells in Europe with Porto and Dynamo Moscow, and made 27 league appearances for Massimiliano Allegri's side this season.

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