Rome - AC Milan have ruled out the departure of stars Andrea Pirlo and Brazilian Pato, while confirming their interest for Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko. La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday quoted new coach Leonardo as saying that the two footballers "won't move from Milan. They are both very important for the team. They are fundamental and are part, Pirlo in particular, of a recent winning past."
Pirlo, 30, and Pato, 19, have been rumoured as possible transfers to Chelsea, who earlier this month hired former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Leonardo, 39, labelled as "inevitable" the rumours regarding Milan players, especially at a time of major changes for the Devils. The rumours come after the lucrative sale of Brazilian ace Kaka to Real Madrid and the retirement of captain Paolo Maldini.
The Serie A giants have tried to snatch Bosnian striker Dzeko, 23, from Wolfsburg, but the negotiations halted after a firm denial from the German champions.
"We'll try again," vice president Adriano Galliani said. "Wolfsburg made no requests because they declared the player not for sale.
"It's a legitimate thing since he has two more years of contract. But we'll try again. He's our first goal, then we have a second and a third, whom we will pursue if we don't get (Dzeko)."
Galliani said Milan is not considering buying Sampdoria's talented forward Antonio Cassano and appeared lukewarm about Roma's French defender Philippe Mexes.
