AC Milan's impending takeover by Sino-Europe Sports is being delayed by "Chinese bureaucracy", according to current owner Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi has agreed to sell the Serie A side to the Chinese investment firm but speculation is growing that the deal will not complete before the December 13 deadline.
"There's too much talk about the closing," the former Italian prime minister told Premium Sport.
"The money is there, we're waiting for the Chinese bureaucracy. Milan will return to the Olympus of football.
"There's space in the cabinet for another trophy, but the successes that we've achieved in our history are unrepeatable."
Milan are currently third in Serie A, four points off leaders Juventus.