AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella has explained why he did not choose to take Carlos Bacca on the club's pre-season trip to the United States, amid transfer speculation surrounding the Colombia international.
Bacca has been chased by West Ham of late, though has been cool on joining the Hammers, while Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the striker. He has been mooted as an option for Barcelona too.
It has been claimed AC Milan are looking to offload Bacca to fund other business in the transfer market, but Montella gave no hint of that when he addressed the media following his side's International Champions Cup defeat to Liverpool.
Asked about leaving Bacca at home, Montella said: "I like strong players and Bacca is a strong player.
"I left him at home becuase he just came from a long trip [to the Copa America] and it was pointless to take him just to have him for little bursts", the coach continued.
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"And also so that he will be in excellent condition when we return [to Italy] to train on 8th August."
Bacca scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Rossoneri last season, but the Italian giants were willing to accept an offer worth €30m from West Ham for the Colombian.
It remains to be seen whether he will still be an AC Milan player by the time the transfer window slams shut at the end of next month.
