Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are set to be disappointed in their pursuit of AC Milan playmaker Riccardo Montolivo, with the midfielder set to extend his contract at the San Siro.
According to talkSPORT, both Spurs and the Reds have been targeting the creative operator in recent weeks, with the source reporting that either of the pair may return to Serie A as they attempt to sign the player in January.
Liverpool could certainly do with a deep-lying midfield creator, and Montolivo would certainly be an upgrade on Joe Allen, while Tottenham would surely benefit from the 30-year-old’s experience as a complement to their younger midfield stars.
However, both may have to look elsewhere following reports from Calciomercato [as per talkSPORT], which note that the Italy international is primed to extend his current deal in Lombardy.
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The report indicates that Montolivo will extend his current deal until 2019, and is set to pocket a cool £2.5 million for every year that his contract runs.
The technically proficient star represented Italy at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.