AC Milan director Leonardo said Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning is not possible, though he admitted the LA Galaxy striker was more than a thought for the Italian side.
Ibrahimovic scored 42 Serie A goals for Milan between 2010 and 2012, before leaving to join Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The former Sweden star has netted 20 times for MLS side the Galaxy so far in 2018, and Milan reportedly made contact with the 37-year-old striker over a possible transfer.
Milan director Leonardo, however, cast doubt over the rumours prior to Thursday s 3-1 win over Olympiacos in the Europa League.
Ibra has very close ties to Milan, everyone knows this, Leonardo told Sky Sport Italia.
We cannot deny it was more than a brief thought going through our minds when we first arrived, as he is extraordinary and has very specific characteristics, but right now it s not possible.
The boss gave his verdict on the game at the post-match press conference.
Read what he had to say:
— AC Milan (@acmilan)
Gennaro Gattuso, meanwhile, backed Patrick Cutrone to take up the mantle of Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi amid the links with Ibrahimovic.
Cutrone scored either side of Gonzalo Higuain s goal as Milan netted three times in the space of nine second-half minutes to come from behind and beat Olympiacos.
The youngster represented a rare bright spot in Milan s dismal campaign in 2017-18 and Gattuso believes Cutrone has the skill set to go on and match the career of San Siro great Inzaghi.
I hope he can become the new Inzaghi, Gattuso told a news conference. But he must keep working and keep his feet on the ground.
2 AC Milan have won two games in a row (all competitions) for the first time since May (Bologna and Verona). Oxygen.
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo)