AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi lauded Alexandre Pato as a great talent after explaining why he decided against selling him to PSG.
The 22-year-old forward appeared to have been closing in on a transfer to the Ligue 1 side for a reported 35 million euros earlier in the week, but the move broke down after he pledged his loyalty to the Milanese giants.
However, the Italian club s owner has since disclosed that he was the one who scuppered the Pato deal, claiming he was loath to see a player of his calibre depart San Siro.
I have decided to keep Pato because he s a great talent, Berlusconi said in a statement on Saturday.
I was not convinced by the operation from the financial and technical point of view. I made this decision by myself.
It s a choice I made in total autonomy. I m convinced it s the best thing for Milan.
Reports in Italy have also suggested that the striker, who has been with Milan since January 2008, will start Sunday s Derby della Madonnina against Inter from the bench.
