Arsenal's Abbiati Bid Rejected By AC Milan

By Gary Spate
June 16 2003

AC MILAN have confirmed that they have systematically rejected a "mega-offer" from Arsenal for Christian Abbiati. The Italian goalkeeper was seen by Arsene Wenger as an ideal replacement for the ageing David Seaman.

Arsenal have been searching for a new goalkeeper since January and had hoped that the Italian would be the perfect replacement for David Seaman.

However, Milan have rejected a huge offer from Arsene Wenger for the 25-year-old.

"Milan and Christian Abbiati have refused, in the past days, through common agreement, a mega-offer from Arsenal," the Milan official web site stated.

"As declared by director Adriano Galliani, the day after the semi-final return leg of the Champions League against Inter, the doors remain absolutely closed as there is the intention to keep the first 18-19 players who won the Champions League and Coppa Italia next season.

Monaco's Flavio Roma is also being touted as a possible target for the Gunners. The French press are claiming that discussions will take place later this week with the price tag believed to be between €5 million and €7 million.