Chelsea Face Battle For £25m Brazilian Ace

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has rejected claims Alexandre Pato is set to leave the San Siro in January, despite speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea.

Reports this week suggested the 22-year-old striker was bound for the Premier league when the transfer window reopens, with the Italian giants hopeful of securing the signature of Argentina striker Carlos Tevez.

Milan are keen to bring Tevez to the San Siro after Antonio Cassano was ruled out for the season with a heart complaint.

Reports indicated Milan were willing to offload Pato to Chelsea in order to allow the Argentina striker to move the other way.

However, Galliani has ruled out selling the Brazilian international to Chelsea, claiming the player is "untouchable."

"There is no chance that Pato can leave," said Galliani. "If Tevez signs then it will be because Cassano has had the problem that we all know about.

"Pato, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are untouchable. This isn't a brilliant moment for him, but Pato is Pato. He scores almost a goal every two games. There is no Pato problem."

Chelsea look to be short in the striking department after Nicolas Anelka confirmed his transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

And with question marks over Fernando Torres' future at Stamford Bridge, it was believed Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas was in the market for a new striker in January.

But Villas-Boas has backed Torres to come good in the New Year and ruled out selling the Spaniard, despite his recent poor form.

"Torres is not available for any price," Villas-Boas said.

"We are pretty sure when Fernando is called up he will respond with the quality and talent he has."