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Newcastle target Niang stays at Milan for now

M'Baye Niang has attracted interest from Newcastle © Getty Images

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AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani has ruled out the sale of M'Baye Niang - at least until his side are sure of their place in the Champions League.

Niang, 18, is attracting attention from Newcastle United, while Milan's Serie A rivals Sampdoria are keen to sign him in exchange for the other half of Andrea Poli's registration - the Rossoneri already own one half.

But with Robinho ruled out for more than a fortnight because of an injury picked up in the friendly against Valencia at the weekend, Galliani has no intention of letting a striker leave yet.

However, a move for France under-21 international Niang could be up for discussion in the final days of the transfer window.

"He can't leave," Galliani told reporters at the entrance to the Lega Calcio headquarters in Milan. We've got Robinho and [Giampaolo] Pazzini both out and, until the Champions League play-offs are over, he can't leave."

The situation would be different if Milan were to succeed in signing Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow - but that transfer is not moving forward, with the Italians unwilling to increase their bid for the Japan international.

"CSKA's president is perfectly right. Honda has a contract with them until December, so it's only right that is respected," Galliani told Sky television.

"We made an offer to sign him immediately, but it was not deemed sufficient. Let's not forget we would only have been paying to have him for a limited period of time."

Milan have already reached an agreement with Honda, who can join on a free transfer in January, and are reluctant to pay over the odds for what would equate to only an extra four months of service.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd