But Galliani made it clear today that the former Dynamo Kiev star has not put his request in writing and that the club would fight to keep a man who has scored 19 goals in 28 league appearances this season and another nine in the Champions League.

Galliani, in charge of the day-to-day running of the club owned by Italy’s outgoing prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, told www.acmilan.com: “Berlusconi’s Milan has never sold a player for money.

“Shevchenko has a three-year contract and from our point of view he will remain at Milan. We talking about the player who has scored the most goals for Milan in the last 50 years, we are talking about a great player.

“If Shevchenko asks for a transfer, we will face that problem.

“I must be clear that Shevchenko will not be sold.”

Galliani also revealed Chelsea enquired about Shevchenko’s availability two years ago.

He added: “It’s been two years since Peter Kenyon and Roman Abramovich asked for Shevchenko and we said no.

“We don’t need the money from Chelsea, we don’t need to sell players for money.

“Sheva not only spoke to Berlusconi but to me, there has been no transfer request.

“We continue to hope that Sheva does not leave, Milan does not sell Shevchenko but we’ll face the problem when Sheva places it.”

Despite Galliani’s bullishness, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti seemed resigned to Shevchenko leaving the club.

He said: “He has said what he wants, the club have to evaluate all the solutions.

“It would be sad if he left but Sheva has said it’s to do with family so you have to respect that.

“He’s always had a good relationship with his team-mates. If he decides to leave this great club then another great player will arrive.”