Carlos Bacca has been left out of AC Milan's travelling party for their preseason tour of the USA, although the Serie A club deny it has anything to do with growing speculation about the Colombia international's future.
Bacca is subject to interest from Premier League club West Ham United and Milan's decision to leave him behind only fuels speculation about his future, even if the Rossoneri dismissed all talk of a transfer with a statement on their website.
"Milan have decided, on the request of coach Vincenzo Montella, to adopt the same criteria applied to Gianluca Lapadula and Leonel Vangioni with Carlos Bacca, who arrived in Milan on Thursday, and Mattia De Sciglio, who will arrive on July 28," the statement said.
"For this reason, both Bacca and De Sciglio will spend all of the preparation time on the fields of the Rossoneri's Milanello sports centre, and they will not be part of the squad for the International Champions Cup... and not because of transfer market reasons."
The decision to leave Bacca and De Sciglio behind is therefore on fitness grounds, although the Colombian seemed to be in the dark about the decision when he arrived in Milan on Thursday.
"I've got four years on my contract with Milan and I'm happy here," he told reporters. "I'll be leaving with the squad for the tour of the USA. I'm just thinking about Milan and I don't feel any pressure about leaving. I'm relaxed and have always worked to give my best.
"I will get the opportunity to play in Europe. I first need to speak to the club and then we will see what happens."
West Ham could offer him European football this season, with the Hammers entering Europa League qualifying next week, and they are expected to make an improved offer for Bacca in the coming days, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.