AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani on Monday ruled out a January transfer return for under-achieving Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Shevchenko, still regarded as a legend at the Milan club, has failed to produce the same kind of form for the English champions, sparking rumours that he would be ready to return to Italy.

However Galliani said the club would not take him back as it was the Ukrainian's wish to leave in the first place, and because they "already have four strikers and Kaka".

"Shevchenko was sold because it was his decision to leave. And, it's not conceivable that Chelsea, after investing so much (45 million euros), would let him go after just six months," said Galliani. "It's just not possible, it's unimaginable."

Shevchenko helped AC Milan win the Champions League final in 2003 when he scored the winning spot-kick in an Old Trafford penalty shoot-out against Juventus.

Since his move to England, however, the goalscoring touch of 'Sheva' appears to have dried up.

AC Milan, hit with a points sanction for their role last season in a match-fixing scandal, are in desperate need of a goalscorer but Shevchenko has appeared to commit himself to Chelsea's cause.

Galliani said the only player the club may sign in the January transfer window is a defender.

Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder also ruled out a loan move for Shevchenko.

With Michael Owen still out injured, Newcastle are struggling in attack and the Ukrainian is one of a host of players linked with a move to the Magpies.

Roeder said: "Shevchenko is a wonderful player and a player any club would love to have. But I have not contacted Chelsea about him and I will not be contacting them.

"I am afraid some of the transfer talk over the weekend is pure fantasy."

(China Daily December 6, 2006)