Milan close to Mesbah deal

AC Milan will reportedly aim to strike a deal on Wednesday for Lecce midfielder Djamel Mesbah.

Television channel Sky Sports Italia claim members of the Serie A champions’ board will meet with Lecce sporting director Carlo Osti and the player’s entourage to discuss a transfer, which would take the Algeria international to northern Italy.

Mesbah has been linked with a move to Milan since the opening of the January transfer window, with Massimiliano Allegri keen to reinforce his wide positions.

Off-season signing Taye Taiwo has failed to convince Allegri of his credentials for a first-team place, leaving only Ignazio Abate, Luca Antonini and Gianluca Zambrotta at Milan’s disposal.

Mesbah, 27, joined Lecce in 2009 from FC Luzern of Switzerland, following a successful baptism of fire in Italian football at Avellino, where he spent the 2008/09 season on loan.

Since his arrival at the Via del Mare, he has proven to be a strong performer for the club playing down the left flank, while also forming part of Algeria’s 2010 World Cup squad.