Milan chase Davids' signature

Slimz

Milan are keen to take Edgar Davids back to San Siro but Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is optimistic the Dutch midfielder will remain at Camp Nou.
Davids is spending the second half of the season on loan at Barcelona from Juventus, where his contract expires in the summer.

The 31-year-old has made an immediate impact with the Catalan giants and Rijkaard wants to keep his compatriot at the club on a permanent basis.

But Milan could rival Barca for his signature after Davids' agent acknowledged the European champions were interested in re-signing the midfield ace.

"It's true Milan want Edgar for next season," Robert Geerlings told Marca. "I can confirm that Milan have already told us about their interest.

"But Davids will give priority to Barcelona."

Rijkaard is aware Davids has several offers to pore over before the summer but hopes his old Ajax team-mate will stay at Camp Nou.

"I have spoken with Davids and he has told me that he feels very well here," commented Rijkaard.

"He is proud to play for a club like Barcelona although he also told me that he has offers from other teams.

"Edgar has not told me that an agreement with Milan exists except that he has received offers from different teams.

"He knows that Barcelona are a name in world football and that he is working well with a view to being one of the great players in the future."

Milan's president Silvio Berlusconi refused to dismiss the possibility of Davids returning to the Rossoneri, for whom he played for two seasons after leaving Ajax in 1996.

Berlusconi scotched any talk of a summer swoop for Internazionale striker Christian Vieri but left the door open for bids for Davids and Lazio defender Jaap Stam.

"Vieri's arrival isn't foreseen because in attack we are good," said Berlusconi.

"But Davids? In attack, no-one will arrive but in midfield it's possible. Stam? Why not? I won't exclude it."

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