AC Milan deny reports Berlusconi could sell up

(ANSA) - Milan, April 24 - Silvio Berlusconi's family holding company on Thursday denied renewed speculation he could sell AC Milan following media reports Far Eastern investors are considering a bid for the Serie A giants.
    Thursday's edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Singapore finance billionaire Peter Lim was considering making a 500-million-euro bid for the seven-time European champions.
    Italy's top sports daily added that Zong Qinghou, the head of the Hangzhou Wahaha beverage group and China's second-richest man according to some rankings, is also interesting in buying the club.
    In a statement, Fininvest said it "denies once again any idea of ceding control of Milan". Berlusconi has repeatedly denied speculation he wants to sell up, despite reducing the club's transfer spending in recent years, resulting in disappointing results on the field by the club's high standards.
    Milan are currently joint-sixth in Serie A with four games to go and trail leaders Juventus by 39 points.
    There have been reports in recent weeks that Berlusconi might sell a big stake in the club to raise capital, while keeping overall control.
    Milan have won five of their seven European champions titles and eight of their 18 Serie A titles since Berlusconi bought the club in 1986.