Milan ready to bring Coco back from Barcelona

MILAN, April 3 (Reuters) - AC Milan will bring Francesco Coco back from Barcelona if the Spanish side decide against a permanent transfer, the Serie A club said on Wednesday. 
Italy international Coco joined Barcelona from Milan last August on a loan deal which includes an option to extend it into a full transfer at the end of this season. 

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani, who runs the club on behalf of president Silvio Berlusconi, said on Wednesday that Barcelona had until the end of next month to decide if they wanted to keep Coco. 

But he made it clear if they failed to do so then Milan would welcome the player back. 

'Barcelona have until May 31 to exercise their option. We don't know what their intentions are but certainly if they don't keep the player, Coco will return to Milan,' Galliani said on the club's official website. 

TERIM ROW

Coco quit Milan after a training-ground row with the club's former coach Turk Fatih Terim. 

But ever since Terim was sacked and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti in November, there has been constant speculation that Coco could return to the San Siro. 

In January he said he would consider returning to Italy, having lost his place in Barca's starting line-up when club captain Sergi returned from injury. 

However, injury has again forced the Spanish international on to the sidelines and Coco has been enjoying another run in the first team. 

On Tuesday Coco said he was happy at Barcelona and would be satisfied if the club opted to keep him on. 

'Whether or not I stay depends on the club,' the Italian was quoted as saying on Barcelona's official website. 

'Personally I feel very comfortable here and if Barca want to keep me I would be very glad to stay.' 

Coco began his career in the youth team at Milan and made his senior debut in the 1995-96 season. 

But it was not until the start of last season that he established himself at the San Siro after loan spells with Vicenza and Torino. 

His performances caught the eye of Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni and he was handed his international debut against Romania in October 2000. 

Coco was a regular throughout Italy's unbeaten World Cup qualifying campaign.