AC Milan bid for Beckham, Owen

England internationals David Beckham and Michael Owen are the latest names to be linked with a close season move to Italian club AC Milan.

The daily Gazzetta dello Sport claimed on Tuesday that Milan are considering a May swoop for Manchester United midfielder Beckham and Liverpool striker Owen.

In Britain, the Sun newspaper put a combined 70 million pounds ($100 million) figure for the duo but a Milan spokesman said the club's policy was not to comment on newspaper transfer speculation.

But after Milan failed to mount a Serie A title bid this season and were unable to make the quarter-finals stage of the Champions League, club president Silvio Berlusconi promised he would bring in world-class players.

Milan made two approaches to United earlier this season in a bid to tempt Beckham to the San Siro, but on both occasions the overtures were firmly rejected.

Speculation has also long linked Owen with an eventual move to Italy, but it has usually been Rome club Lazio who have been suggested as his likely destination.

Gazzetta suggested Beckham, whose contract with United has two more seasons to run, may be ready for a new challenge and added that his wife, Spice Girls singer Victoria, could be tempted by an offer to work for Berlusconi's television network.

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Coach Cesare Maldini recently confirmed that the club were aiming to bring in fresh blood.

"Milan needs quality players," Maldini told the club's official website. "Who? They are on everyone's lips. There are many names flying about. At the moment the richest market is the French.

"There are talented players in Portugal and Spain too, even though it's difficult to compete there with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"Milan have always had big players and I think that it is the president's intention to buy champion players who are able to make a difference," added Maldini.

Fiorentina's Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa is widely considered Milan's number one target, while Barcelona's Brazilian forward Rivaldo has also been frequently linked with a switch to the San Siro.

Galatasaray winger Hasan Sas and Leeds United's Australian striker Mark Viduka are also among those recently rumoured to be on Milan's wish-list.