Cesc Fabregas to AC Milan? Vincenzo Montella rules out move for Chelsea star

AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella has ruled out a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas in the January transfer window. I Rossoneri are in the market for a midfielder to replace the injury-struck Riccardo Montolivo, but Montella says the Chelsea man doesn't match his requirements.

Fabregas has been linked with a move to the San Siro ever since he fell out of favour under new manager Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge. He has started just one Premier League game this season, being withdrawn after 55 minutes in the disappointing defeat to Arsenal.

Goal.com reported last month that the Spain international had turned down a loan move to Lombardy on deadline day, feeling he could force his way into Conte's first-team plans. However, with no upturn in his fortunes, Italian website Calcio Mercato Web claimed Milan had a verbal agreement to recruit Fabregas on loan in January.

Corriere dello Sportbacked up those stories earlier this week with the one-time Italian giants still interested in the former Arsenal star. Speculation reached fever pitch when Milan midfielder Montolivo was ruled out for six months after tearing his knee ligaments on international duty.

But Montella has now declared that Fabregas is not being sought as a replacement for the Italy international.

"I would like to bring a player with the skills of Montolivo, who also could play with two in the midfield. Fabregas? He does not have those characteristics," the Milan boss said during an interview with Corriere Della Sera. "I think [Montolivo] is almost irreplaceable, he gives us guarantees in two phases, he is key for the team and in the dressing room. His absence will be an even greater loss than you might think."