Milan made a last-minute offer for Jiangsu Suning midfielder Ramires but were denied a move by Inter boss Zhang Jindong, according to reports in the Portuguese press.

Ramires has played for the Chinese Super League outfit since 2016 and is known to now be keen for a return to Europe, with Inter coming close to signing him on loan from their sister club during the January transfer window.

Ultimately the deal did not go through as club owners Suning did not want to deprive Jiangsu of the Brazilian midfielder, but it looks as if a similar veto was placed on the 31 year-old’s departure during the final few hours of the summer transfer window.

Portuguese newspaper Record have revealed on Saturday that Milan were interested in bringing Ramires to the club on Italy’s deadline day, as they searched for further reinforcements for Gennaro Gattuso – however the Rossoneri were unable to acquire his services as Zhang had no intention of selling the player’s to Inter’s rivals.

The paper reports that Ramires could now join Benfica instead, with Portugal’s transfer window not due to close until 21 September.