Galliani: 'Deulofeu no surprise'

Adriano Galliani has confirmed that Keisuke Honda will stay with Milan until the end of the season, thereby ending speculation of a move to MLS.

Honda had seemingly been closing in on a switch to Seattle Sounders, but Galliani made it clear the midfielder would see out the campaign with Milan, although he hinted the Japanese would be allowed to leave in the summer.

“Honda? He won’t move until the end of the season,” he told reporters outside a restaurant, where the Vice-President was joined by Coach Vincenzo Montella and the first-team squad.

“We decided that together; us, the Chinese group and the player. Montella was also kept in the loop.

“Will I wish a happy birthday to Donnarumma? Certainly. Happy with Bacca’s decision to stay? Absolutely.”

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani is not surprised by Gerard Deulofeu’s fine form and admits he’s feeling anxious as the club sale approaches.

The Rossoneri got together for a big team dinner on Friday evening, organised by Coach Vincenzo Montella.

Only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was given the night off, as today is his 18th birthday.

“Of course there are strong emotions at this time, because you cannot cancel out 31 years in one minute,” Galliani told reporters outside the restaurant.

The closing is expected on March 3, when President Silvio Berlusconi will hand over full ownership of the club to Chinese investors.

Meanwhile, Milan will visit Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.

“We played there three times and lost all three, so hopefully it’s time to get rid of the Mapei Stadium taboo.”

January signing Deulofeu has made a huge contribution already to their campaign, setting up the winner against Bologna when down to nine men and scoring to beat Fiorentina.

“I am not surprised by Deulofeu, as I had been tracking him ever since he played in the Spanish youth team. He is an important player.”