Following a long-term injury to AC Milan's Riccardo Montolivo, speculation linking Chelsea's Cesc Fàbregas with a switch to the San Siro has been on the increase.

Montella: Cesc not what we're after

Speaking in the Italian media on Tuesday, however, Milan boss Vincenzo Montella looked to pour cold water on talk of the midfielder being drafted in this January.

"We're looking for a player who has the characteristics that Montolivo has, who can also operate in a defensive-midfield two," he told Il Corriere della Sera.

"Fàbregas? He doesn't have those characteristics," Montella concluded.

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Bit-part Blues role under Conte

Cesc, who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2019, has made just one Premier League start so far this season under new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.