Montella demands end to AC Milan transfer rumours

Vincenzo Montella has called for an end to persistent transfer rumours as AC Milan battle to finish the Serie A season in the European qualification places.

The completion of a €740million takeover by a Chinese consortium this month has prompted significant speculation that a big-money overhaul of the squad will take place during the close season.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema are among the names to have been linked with San Siro, while talk of a return to the club for Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has picked up this week.

At the same time, the future of star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been thrown into doubt. Manchester United have been linked with a bid for the 18-year-old as a potential replacement for David de Gea, if the Spain international joins Madrid.

However, Milan face a fight to catch fifth-placed Atalanta during the final five games of the season, and head coach Montella wants the focus to be on the team's performances and not on the transfer market.

"I know that you [the media] are just doing your jobs but there is too much talk about transfers and not just with regards to Gianluigi Donnarumma," he told a news conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Crotone.

"The club told us to focus on the end of the season, because it's essential that we get into Europe.

"Too often, agents and reporters try to create stories. I don't prefer Alvaro Morata to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, nor Karim Benzema to Edinson Cavani, or whatever other name.

"That's not what I am interested in right now. We have to continue working with and improving the current squad. So please, stop sending 'messages' to the players and to me, because our minds are on the present."

Milan are six points behind Atalanta but have a game in hand on Gian Piero Gasperini's side, after they drew 2-2 with leaders Juventus on Friday.