With Bordeaux recently taking up their option to buy Yoann Gourcuff, after taking him on loan for the past twelve months, Milan director Adriano Galliani expressed his disappointment at seeing the Frenchman slip through his clubs hands.

“At first, we were accused of making a bad purchase, now we are being lambasted for making a wrong sale. I am slightly sorry that he [Gourcuff] has gone. However, given the fact we bought him for three million and sold him for fifteen, it can’t have been a bad sale.”

Despite Galliani’s efforts to try and tempt the Frenchman back to Milan, the Rossoneri executive admitted the uncertainty over a starting position proved too much of a stumbling block in convincing Gourcuff.

“I did my best to try and persuade him to return to Milan, but he wasn’t happy with the fact there were no guarantees of a starting position. With the World Cup on the horizon, Gourcuff was adamant that he needed regular playing time in the build up to South Africa.”

With Ancelotti rumoured to be leaving the Rossoneri in the coming days, it seems Galliani has some work to do on his persuasive skills as Milan prepare for a busy summer in the transfer market.