Andrea Pirlo

[Kez 2,727]

Done deal then

[The Big Drog 1,110]

I know some people are not high on the idea but personally I would love Pirlo to join. Ok maybe he isnt young , but his style of play pretty much means that he has a good 3 , maybe even 4 years at the top level left in him. He isnt past it , the guy has done well at an average AC Milan side in recent years and looked pretty good for a poor Italian team. He brings something to the table that Chelsea need, guile and creativety in midfield. I would take Pirlo over Ballack any day of the week.

Goal.com is a pretty poor source but it has been reported in Marca too.... yes thats not a great source either but I think its a deal thats possible.

[the wes 7,212]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/category/clubs/Chelsea

Chelsea are closing in on AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

The London Evening Standard says the 30-year-old is also wanted by Atletico Madrid but reports in Spain say the club have pulled out of the race because they believe he is going to Stamford Bridge.

Only last week, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti hinted a deal for Pirlo could be struck, if they were prepared to be patient.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

I know its a pretty poor source for news but on Goal two named sources who are close to AC Milan say that Milan look set to sell Pirlo to allow them to buy Fabiano and a younger replacement for him.

[EskWeston 696]

We should be going for whoever AC Milan think is the "younger replacement". Nothing against Pirlo but i think the days of us signing 30 year olds should be long gone.

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

We should be going for whoever AC Milan think is the "younger replacement". Nothing against Pirlo but i think the days of us signing 30 year olds should be long gone.

totally agree, Esk, 30+ aint really gonna help our mifield, Ballack and Lampard are both in there 30s, and Pirlo would be another.. need as many young players as poss.

[EskWeston 696]

totally agree, Esk, 30+ aint really gonna help our mifield, Ballack and Lampard are both in there 30s, and Pirlo would be another.. need as many young players as poss.

And don't forget Deco is still here too.....

[TrueChelseaBlue 105]

Exactly... hence why we need more young talent

[Milan 17,955]

AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani insists there has been no bid from Chelsea for Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

'We have never begun negotiations,' he said. 'There was never an offer for Pirlo from Chelsea. So the problem does not exist.'

[the wes 7,212]

Chelsea have been linked with an £8.6million move for AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo that would see Claudio Pizarro and England Under 21 defender Michael Mancienne go in the other direction.

Reports in Italy have long been expecting 30-year-old Pirlo to follow his former boss Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge, despite Milan's insistence that he is not for sale and the player saying he is happy to stay at the San Siro.

But Ancelotti is a huge admirer of his former Rossoneri lynchpin and has sanctioned a formal move for the Italy international, according to newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Catch me if you can: AC Milan captain Andrea Pirlo (right) gives potential future Chelsea team-mate Andriy Shevchenko the runaround in Baltimore last week

Chelsea captain John Terry revealed this week that owner Roman Abramovich had assured him that the club were still ambitious and ready to sign star players.

Capturing the midfield author of Italy's 2006 World Cup success would be a start.

Ciao! Claudio Pizarro (right) tries to get to know Milan midfielder Rino Gattuso a bit better

With Milan desperate to sign a striker, Chelsea are willing to offload Peru international Pizarro, as well as offering Mancienne on a year's loan.

The Italian giants have failed to land any of their three favoured targets to lead the forward line. Wolfsburg have dismissed all admirers of Edin Dzeko, Sevilla have priced Luis Fabiano well above what the Italians are prepared to pay and long-term target Emmanuel Adebayor left Arsenal for Manchester City.

Milan fear they will be priced out of a move for Real Madrid's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Pizarro could be the perfect solution, though they are also considering Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner.

Bright future: Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne in action against Club America in Arlington at the weekend

Pizarro, 30, tempted Milan last season while impressing on loan at Werder Bremen, though, conversely, impressing Ancelotti then has tempted the Italian to give him a chance at Chelsea.

Pizarro is under contract for another two years and happy to make a go of things in London if he gets opportunities to play in the first team.

Milan boss Leonardo also wants a defender, particularly a left-back, and are thought to admire Mancienne's versatility, even if the 21-year is more comfortable with his right foot.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1202689/Chelsea-table-Andrea-Pirlo-offer-Pizarro-Mancienne-head-AC-Milan.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0MY6rxgMK

[EskWeston 696]

Hmmm, many points on this one.

1. Not sure still if Pirlo is the type of player we need. Not to mention signing 30 year olds should be something we should steer well clear of!

2. Pizarro can go. We have more than enough forwards and it would be pointless to keep him here.

3. Mancienne on loan to AC Milan? Is he going to get more playing time at Milan than at Chelsea? I doubt that very much.....

[chrismada9 1,948]

Don't want Andrea Pirlo!!!