AC Milan eye Real Madrid target Maniche

AC Milan have expressed an interest for Porto midfielder Maniche.

Milan chiefs Ariedo Braida and Cesare Maldini came away from the summer's European Championships gushing about the ability of Maniche, who inspired Portugal to the final.

After missing out on Edgar Davids, Milan are convinced Maniche can do a similar job for coach Carlo Ancelotti and are ready to make an official approach for the player.

The stumbling block could be Real Madrid, however, where presidential candidate Lorenz Sanz is claiming to have a commitment from Maniche that he will join the Spanish giants if he wins this summer's election.