ROME, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- AC Milan has denied reports that it was negotiating with Premier League champion Chelsea for the return to Italy of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko.

    "At present no negotiations are in progress with Chelsea for Shevchenko's return to our club," AC Milan Deputy Chairman and CEO Adriano Galliani said in a statement posted on the club's website.

    The 2004 European Footballer of the Year has struggled to adapt to English soccer since joining the London club in the summer, scoring just three league goals so far.

    The British press said Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was willing to loan him out in the hope he can rediscover his scoring touch at Milan.

    According to The Sun, Milan would pay Shevchenk's hefty salary for the rest of the season if a loan is arranged.

    Shevchenko's poor form has been put down to the fact that he and his family are missing Milan. The feeling seems to be mutual. His former club are lying a lowly 15th in Serie A and strikers Filippo Inzaghi, Alberto Gilardino and Ricardo Oliveira have mustered just three league goals between them so far.

    Shevchenko became Milan's all-time second-highest scorer in his seven years at the San Siro Stadium. His 173 goals helped the team win the Italian championship, the Italian Cup, the European Champions League and the European Super Cup.

    The Sun reported that Chelsea is only interested in letting Shevchenko go on loan and will not sell him back to Milan. This is because Roman Abramovich, the club's Russian billionaire owner, is believed to have great faith that the striker will regain his best form soon.