[misha]

Milan’s proposed January bid for Vincenzo Iaquinta has hit the rocks after Marco Borriello tested positive for a banned substance.

The Rossoneri were hoping to tempt Udinese into selling their star striker by offering cash and Borriello in exchange.

However, the former Under-21 international has been suspended as a precautionary measure and could face a lengthy ban if his B test also comes back as positive.

The San Siro giants are desperately looking for a new striker seeing the performances of their misfiring attackers so far this term

Although Alberto Gilardino seems to have finally awoken, Pippo Inzaghi and summer signing Ricardo Oliveira continue to struggle in front of goal.

As a result, Milan may now look elsewhere and they are being strongly linked with Fabio Quagliarella.

The Sampdoria ace has been hot so far this term and he’s netted some real gems amongst his nine Serie A strikes in 2006-07.

The 23-year-old is co-owned by Udinese and may find it tough for a regular shirt at Doria given the competition posed by Francesco Flachi, Emiliano Bonazzoli and Fabio Bazzani.

Quagliarella, formerly of Ascoli and Torino, would also come with the added bonus of being available to play in the Champions League.

Milan are through to the last 16 of the competition and will face Scottish giants Celtic when the tournament resumes in the New Year.

Football Italia

[Guest_fresh_prince7_*]

Milan prepare Iaquinta bid - Wednesday 3 January, 2007 - channel4.com

Milan are planning a January move for Vincenzo Iaquinta of Udinese, even if boss Carlo Ancelotti insists that Massimo Oddo is their primary objective.

The Rossoneri had already been paired with the Bianconero during the summer, when the Via Turati outfit were searching for an Andriy Shevchenko replacement.

He was then recently linked with the club again after the giants were ready to offer Udinese the services of Marco Borriello, before he was suspended for failing a drugs test.

However, Milan are now ready to make a cash only bid for the £8.5m valued attacker who would be eligible to play in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has made no secret of his desire to see Lazio right-back Oddo join his outfit this month.

“I am not worried as there is time until January 31 to sign him,” said the Coach before leaving for Malta, where the side will train for the next week before Serie A resumes on January 13.

“I didn’t expect him to leave for Malta with us, but I have spoken with the club and everything is very clear. We will wait and see what happens.

“Meanwhile, we already have a new player who nobody knows in Leandro Grimi. He is very young and interesting,” added Ancelotti.

Milan will fly back to Italy on Saturday to play the Trofeo Berlusconi tie with Juventus at the San Siro and will then return to Malta to complete their preparation.