AC MILAN have allegedly sacked club legend Paolo Maldini as technical director - leaving the potential transfer arrival of a Chelsea star up in the air.
The 54-year-old spent 25 years as a player for the club and won the Champions League five times during his iconic career.
After retiring in 2009, he returned to San Siro nine years later initially as a development director.
Maldini was promoted to technical director 12 months later and he has overseen a number of transfer arrivals since then with the likes of Rafael Leao and Fikayo Tomori proving to be huge successes.
Milan won the Serie A title last term but this season has ended in disappointment with a fourth-placed finish and they were beaten by rivals Inter in the Champions League final.
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Maldini is reported to have met club owner Gerry Cardinale and director of football Ricky Massara on Monday to discuss plans for next term.
However, Calciomercato claims that it did not go well as the two parties completely disagreed on what was the best way to take the club forward.
And the publication claims that both Maldini and Massara have now been fired by Cardinale.
Former Italian defender Maldini’s exit could also have repercussions for Chelsea.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 27, has one year left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge but has struggled to hold down a spot in the starting XI.
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Now, though, he is said to be exploring the possibility of a move away amid talk he could be forced out to create space in the over-inflated squad.
Rumours began mounting that Milan were looking to sign the England international.
Apparently a meeting between the midfielder’s entourage with Maldini and fellow chiefs was also set to take place on Monday at the club’s Casa Milan HQ.
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However, a report from Italy claims that it was “postponed shortly before” it was due amid the row between the top brass.
Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, is said to be keen on the possibility of moving to the San Siro.
Should he make the move, the midfielder would link up with ex-Chelsea men Olivier Giroud and Tomori for the Italian giants.
