MILAN, June 19 - Cagliari striker David Suazo was involved in a tug-of-war between AC Milan and city rivals Inter on Tuesday with both sides claiming he was now their player.

The 27-year-old had looked set for Serie A champions Inter after Cagliari President Massimo Cellino said last week that a deal had been done.

However, European champions AC Milan said on Tuesday they had performed a night raid and bagged Suazo for themselves.

"The Honduran striker will wear the shirt of Milan next season," a statement said on Milan's Web site (www.acmilan.com). "The transfer from Cagliari to the Rossoneri went ahead after negotiations during the night."

Inter hit back saying that although Cagliari had agreed a new deal with Milan, the player himself had signed for Inter.

"With us there was complete agreement. This has been an amazing change of will. Anyway the player has signed for us so we will see," Inter president Massimo Moratti told his club's Web site (www.inter.it).

DANGEROUS STRIKER

Suazo scored 14 league goals last season having developed into one of the most dangerous strikers in Italy.

In the 2005-06 season he scored 22 Serie A goals for Cagliari, breaking the club record of 21 league goals in a season that former Italy international Gigi Riva set in 1970.

At the Italian Football Oscars in January this year, he shared the award for best foreign player in Serie A with AC Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka.

The tussle is sure to fuel a simmering feud between the two Milan clubs, whose rivalry was intensified by Inter's league title and AC Milan's Champions League triumph last season.

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