AC Milan have completed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini on a four-year contract - but the club expect to miss out on Chelsea's Didier Drogba.
Flamini is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season and today
agreed to join the Italian club in a deal which will begin on July 1.
Milan have also been strongly linked with Chelsea striker Drogba in Europe but
Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida does not anticipate the Ivory Coast
forward joining Flamini at the San Siro this summer.
He told PA Sport: 'Drogba is a very interesting player that many clubs would
want to have but he is under contract at Chelsea and I believe he will remain at
Chelsea next season.'
As for France international Flamini, Braida revealed Milan coach Carlo
Ancelotti is a great admirer of the 24-year-old.
'I have to say Flamini was a player that Ancelotti really wanted and Milan is
like a family, where decisions are made jointly,' he said.
Arsenal had hoped Flamini would agree a deal to stay at the Emirates Stadium,
but they always knew it would be difficult with outfits like Juventus and Milan
coveting the player.
'Flamini is not an unknown player,' said Braida. 'Just like Didier Drogba
isn't.
'I'm not surprised by his talent and I assume several teams would have wanted
his services.
'Although no negotiations are ever easy, it wasn't difficult to convince
Flamini to join Milan.
'Flamini has made a choice as his contract with Arsenal is coming to an end
and we are delighted he has chosen Milan.
'He is a very good player and he can offer a lot to the team.'
Flamini expressed his joy at the move after finalising terms with the Serie A
outfit.
'I am extremely happy. Thanks a million,' he said.
Despite the offer of a lucrative new five-year deal - understood to be worth
around £55,000-a-week - from the north London club, Flamini's head was turned by
Milan's interest.
Juventus were also reported to be tracking the player, who has formed a fine
partnership with Cesc Fabregas this season after looking to be on his way out of
the club at the end of the last campaign.
He put in an impressive performance at the San Siro as Arsene Wenger's team
knocked Milan out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in March.
It is understood the former Marseille man said his goodbyes to some staff as
he left the car park after yesterday's home win over Everton in the
Premier League.
He will compete for a place in the Rossoneri midfield with Brazil star Kaka
and the Italy trio of Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.
Milan beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 today to climb into the final
qualifying place for the Champions League, leapfrogging Fiorentina who lost 2-1
at Cagliari.
Flamini's last match as an Arsenal player will be Sunday's Premier League trip
to Sunderland.
