ITALIAN powerhouse AC Milan have guaranteed the appearances of eight current internationals in their lineup for next month's Hong Kong Football Association 80th Anniversary Cup - but they want $1.6 million plus other expenses. Milan, one of the top clubs in the world, want to play in the territory and are willing to display their star-studded side for a hefty price - an offer which the Hong Kong FA is now seriously considering. The Italian giants want US$200,000 (approximately $1.6 million) in appearance money and they want their air-fare and accommodation to be covered by the organisers. Despite their expensive request, the HKFA is still keen to bring the Italian club over here for a date at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium. HKFA vice chairman Fred Ng Chi-keung said the FA is willing to cover all of Milan's expenses but there was still a minor problem to be ironed out. ''AC Milan are very keen to come but they prefer to play here between June 2-4 as opposed to May 29, one of the dates we have suggested. ''We are still negotiating with them and we are still hoping they will seriously consider playing here a few days earlier,'' said Ng. Ng said AC Milan have guaranteed such top-class players as midfielder Gianluigi Lentini, fellow Italian defender Franco Baresi, Montenegrin Dejan Savicevic, Croatia's Zvonimir Boban and France's Marcel Desailly among others. Denmark's Brian Laudrup and French marksman Jean-Pierre Papin are also included in a list of ''possibles'' for the Hong Kong tour although the Milan club insist that spectators would not be disappointed. AC Milan are currently hot property because they are on the verge of winning their third successive Serie A Italian league title and the club are assured of a place in the semi-finals of the European Cup. The HKFA would have to spend about half of its $3.5 million budget for the event if they are to secure the Italian club, - but there is a strong possibility that the HKFA would go through with it to ensure a top quality line-up - consisting of three overseas teams and a Hong Kong League XI. The HKFA has also thrashed out a deal with French giants Monaco who are almost certain to appear in the territory. Monaco have stated they would prefer to play here between May 24-26 because they may want to head back to France for the French FA Cup final on May 28. Monaco have reached the quarter-finals and the club feel they have a chance of reaching the final. Like Milan, Monaco are also assured of a European Cup semi-final place. Despite Monaco's 90 per cent certain start, it is understood top players like Germany's World Cup striker Jurgen Klinsmann and Belgium's in-form Enzo Scifo, will be missing from the squad because they will be away on World Cup duty. Organisers have also invited Cameroon, who have appeared in two World Cup finals tournaments and have qualified for this year's finals in the US. Cameroon will be passing through the territory in May on their way to Guangzhou where they will play an exhibition match. Cameroon would be a much cheaper alternative to AC Milan as most of their air-fare would have been covered by Guangzhou. English Premiership side Chelsea are also being considered for next month's soccer extravaganza along with Australia. The Hong Kong League XI, who in the past have defeated such sides as Aston Villa and Partizan Belgrade, will make up the fourth team. The HKFA will decide the date for the one-day tournament at its next Council meeting on Monday.
