Italian giants AC Milan have stated that they will only sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez on a loan deal in January.

The Serie A side were believed to be in talks with the controversial forward's agent Kia Joorabchian over a possible move.

While the Italian outfit are happy to take the 27-year-old on a temporary switch, the Premier League club are refusing to grant anything less than a permanent move, according to BBC Sport.

"Tevez? Let's see. There is time," AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani is quoted as saying. "Whoever arrives in January will be on loan with the right to buy.

"If it wasn't for the problem with Cassano, we would have stuck with what we had, but we only want to sign players on loan in the January transfer window."

Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini's side are preparing to face Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow for the Carling Cup quarter-final clash.