Milan lose patience over Crespo deal

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliano claims Chelsea had no intention of extending Hernan Crespo’s loan spell at the San Siro.

Crespo is set to return to Stamford Bridge for next season after talks over a new 12-month loan deal failed to reach agreement.

Milan have moved swiftly to cover the loss by snapping up Christian Vieri on a free transfer from city-rivals Internazionale.

Delight at the acquisition of Vieri has been tempered, however, by the loss of Crespo.

Galliani told www.acmilan.com: “It’s true that at Hernan’s wedding on May 16 I formally took the responsibility to see that the player would remain at Milan.

“It was a promise that I was the first to want to fulfil.

“But the negotiations with Chelsea have had too many obstacles and nothing was ever completed.

“This was certainly not my fault, the transfer market has certain rules that apply and you cannot lose time.

“Chelsea have no intention of letting Crespo leave their club.

“We waited until the meeting between (Crespo’s agent Fernando) Hidalgo and (Chelsea’s chief executive Peter) Kenyon but unfortunately once again we found ourselves without a conclusion.”

When Vieri became available after leaving Inter, Milan moved quickly.

“I am saddened for Hernan,” Galliani added.

“But we simply couldn’t take the risk of losing precious time because otherwise any other club could have tried to get Vieri and we couldn’t take that risk.

“When it became clear that the Crespo deal was a no-go, I decided to act quickly and with Vieri we have completed our attacking line-up.”

Galliani’s insistence that Milan are no longer interested in buying another striker would appear to rule out a move for Parma’s Alberto Gilardino.

“Parma are continuing to ask €30m for Gilardino and at that price we will not buy him,” Galliano said.

“As the days progress this matter gets even more complicated.”

Milan’s disappointment at missing out on Crespo is matched by the player, who was desperate to remain in Italy.

He scored 18 goals in 39 appearances last season as the Rossoneri finished runners-up in Serie A and the Champions League.

Speaking from a family holiday in Sardinia, Crespo said: “Until my agent Fernando Hidalgo calls me to tell me my future destination I will stay here.

He admits staying with Milan had been starting to look increasing unlikely as the summer progressed.

“Ten days ago I said that the optimism was fading away and as time went by, I knew that it would have been very difficult for me to remain in Milan,” he added in Gazzetta dello Sport.

The only consolation for Crespo is that it will be Vieri who takes his place in Carlo Ancelotti’s attack.

“I’m very happy for Vieri, he has been a good friend of mine ever since we played together at Inter,” said Crespo.

“I am happy that he has achieved a dream by joining Milan and I wish him the best of luck in scoring goals because he is a great striker and an extraordinary person.”