Alessio Cerci to AC Milan all but a done deal

There are several new developments in the Alessio Cerci transfer saga which appear to spell a move to the San Siro, just not to the Inter side.

Initially, talks between Cerci and Inter seemed legitimate due to the shared desire of the player and club to reach an agreement. Some reports claim that Inter had tentatively accepted a deal in which they could take Cerci on loan after the winter break with a commitment to redeem him at the end of the season.

However, A.C. Milan CEO Adriano Galliani made a strategic move for the Italian winger, focusing on the Atletico's desire to bring on Fernando Torres, and it appears to have worked. Several outlets report that Galliani and Atleti's sporting director Andrea Berta have reached an agreement to exchange loans of Cerci and Torres for 18 months.

Now all that is left for this particular deal to go through is for the Italian side to talk to Cerci and his agent about the deal he will sign with Milan. Reports from as early as this morning make it sound as though Cerci will be obligated to take the deal or ride the bench for six more months, as Atletico seem set on bringing Torres to the Calderon.

All of this would seem to explain why Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio has made a jump for Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, which some fans may feel would be a better move for the Italian club anyway. What about you - are you unhappy to see Cerci slip away, or would you have rather seen Podolski join Inter anyway?