Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed that Pep Guardiola "loves Italy", as reports linking the Catalan coach to AC Milan continue.
The 41-year-old is currently on a sabbatical after stepping down from his post at Barca at the end of last season.
"Pep is someone who pays no attention to frills," Laporta told Tuttosport. "He was at Barca purely for work purposes and did it in the utmost tranquility.
"I know [Milan owner Silvio] Berlusconi and I can assure him that [Pep] is a man of great charisma. Guardiola loves Italy, it is a common passion of his.
"When travelling with the team, Pep only read Italian newspapers. Do I see him on a bench again this year? Ask him. Pep is a great person who is always in search of perfection."
Guardiola played for Italian clubs Brescia and Roma between 2001 and 2003.
