AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said that he hopes Carlos Tevez turns down the chance to join Juventus.
The Bianconeri are believed to be closing in on his signature, with his days as a Manchester City player looking numbered.
Diavolo tried to sign the 29-year-old following his bust-up with Roberto Mancini during a Champions League game at Bayern Munich and Gallini said that he struck up a close relationship with Tevez.
The 68-year-old said that, although it would irk him to see the striker in a Juve shirt, his arrival would have meant that Mario Balotelli would not be needed at the San Siro.
"I would mind a bit if he should go to Juventus, given the friendship we have built with him," Galliani told Sport Mediaset. "But the president [Silvio] Berlusconi is right - if Tevez had arrived in Milan, Balotelli would not have come here."
Tevez scored 11 league goals this season.
Michael Penkman
