Milan have reportedly lost out to Real Madrid in the race to sign Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago.

Rossoneri transfer guru Ariedo Braida is presently scouting in South America and had eyed Gago and Gonzalo Higuain of River Plate, but both youngsters would seemingly prefer a move to Madrid.

Now the AS newspaper claims that Gago, similar in style to former Real and Milan man Fernando Redondo, is on the verge of reaching an agreement with the Merengues.

“He is going to happily come to us, he is a talented player and I believe we have been very lucky,” said former Fiorentina striker and current Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.

“I think buying him is a good move, although we still need to finalise the deal. He’s wanted by other big clubs, but he prefers Madrid.”

Milan have also targeted Ilsinho of Sao Paulo as a successor to 36-year-old Marcos Cafu after Lazio again told them to forget about Massimo Oddo.

The 21-year-old Ilsinho was viewed by Braida over the past few days and impressed the club official who is considering an offer.

However, the defender does not have an EU passport and could therefore land at the San Siro only in June if a non-EU spot is left vacant.

The player is under contract until 2009 and has been valued at something around £1.7m.

Meanwhile, there seems to be growing tension in the Milan locker room after Daniele Bonera and Yoann Gourcuff allegedly argued on Monday.

The Corriere dello Sport reports that the pair clashed during training and the homesick French starlet may even be considering a return to Rennes.

Football Italia

If you read the official website, you'll see that the last part about Bonera and Yoaan is pure bull$hit... They even ride to Milanello in the same care everyday and Bonera said they just had launch together...

I don't think he is what we need .. Real have 2 GREAT DMs in Diarra and Emerson .. Gago would need time, a LOT of time, to break into the first eleven. We need someone effective and above all fast in adapting to our technical play, not a kid who needs time to adapt.