NOTE: None of this is confirmed.
Pop star Noel Gallagher has offered to buy Italian captain Paolo Maldini for his local club, English first division strugglers Manchester City.
Noel and brother Liam form Britain's top rock group Oasis and during the band's current tour of Italy he was sent an Italian national shirt by the AC Milan defender.
Noel responded with the message: ``Paolo, forget Milan, we want you at Manchester City. I'll pay for the transfer and then you can play in our band as well.''
Maldini, one of the most accomplished defenders in the game, has spent his entire career with Milan, winning a crop of honours.
But an English first division club flirting with relegation is not likely to be top of his target destinations -- whatever the pulling power of Oasis.
The Gallagher brothers keep a close eye on Italian soccer. During Saturday's Bologna concert they had a television installed backstage so they could check on the Italy-Russia World Cup qualifier.