AC Milan give Real Madrid short shrift over Nesta

AC Milan powerbrokers gave Real Madrid president Florentino Perez short shrift when he made an inquiry after defender Alessandro Nesta.

Perez wants to bring a big-name defensive signing to Madrid this season and asked about Nesta when meeting with Milan president Silvio Berlusconi and vice-president Adriano Galliani this week.

"Nesta is not for sale," was the reply Perez received. "He is a crucial part of AC Milan."

Perez is now stepping up talks with Inter Milan for Italy national captain Fabio Canavarro.