AC Milan To Offload TAYE TAIWO, Marseille On Alert

AC Milan have given permission to Nigeria left back Taye Taiwo to arrive the team's training camp tomorrow, Tuesday July 10.

Though Taiwo has been summoned by the Milan chiefs to join the rest of the players at pre-season training, the future of the ex Lobi Stars defender is covered in mist.

Italy's number one sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday that the defender has been declared surplus to requirement at The Red and Blacks. As a result of the blacklist, Taiwo must look for a new club.

There's speculation in the French Media that Taiwo could make a sensational return to Marseille, where he previously spent six seasons. In fact, it was reported a week ago that there was a meeting between the Nigerian and the leadership of Marseille - Vincent Labrune, Philippe Pérez and José Anigo- on a possible return. Taiwo has denied that he visited Marseille to discuss on a transfer, claiming he was there on a courtesy call.

Also mentioned as a possible destination for Taiwo is the Portuguese League, specifically Benfica. Reports had been rife that Taiwo will be used as makeweight in the deal by Milan to land the signature of Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel. But Milan's finances does not put the club in pole position for the hot-in-demand Axel Witsel, who is rated around forty million euros, and is being tracked by Real Madrid, Man City and Chelsea. That puts an end to those speculations of Taiwo joining Benfica.

Languishing on the bench at the start of last season, EPL side Queens Park Rangers offered Taiwo the chance of first team football by borrowing him from AC Milan in the winter transfer market. In 15 appearances for the Loftus Road side, he netted once against Sunderland in March.

Ifeanyi Abanum