Silvio Berlusconi's Fininvest conglomerate has once again issued a denial that the AC Milan president has sold his majority share in the Serie A club, although it has admitted that the sale of a minority share is being assessed.
It had been reported in recent days that Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol was lining up an offer for shares in Milan, but the latest rumour -- emanating from Romania -- claimed that a Chinese investor Poe Qui Ying Wangsuo had beaten him to buying the Rossoneri.
A photograph posted on wowbiz.ro purported to show Berlusconi signing paperwork on the sale of 51 percent of the club to the Chinese magnate, known as "Mr. Pink" for the eponymous soft drink sold in the U.S. with which he made his fortune.
The picture and report is inaccurate, however, according to Fininvest, who said: "[We] deny in the most categorical of ways that any kind of agreement has been reached for the sale of the stake in Milan.
"Furthermore, [Fininvest] repeats what it has already stated many times: various individuals have shown an interest in a partnership with Milan, but the proposition exclusively relates to a possible minority participation. Fininvest is, indeed, not interested in relinquishing control of the football club."
Earlier this week, La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that Berlusconi had accepted a bid from Taechaubol for a third of his shares.
As part of an agreement, Berlusconi could pull out of the deal by paying a fine of 25 million euros to the Thai investor.
The picture posted on the Romanian website is understood to be of Berlusconi signing this memorandum of understanding last week with the shares due to change hands at the end of the season, unless Berlusconi has a change of heart.