ROME (AFP) - AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso admitted on Friday that he dreams of playing in the English Premier League.

Gattuso tried to shrug off questions about his future, amid rumours that he is headed for the San Siro exit door at the end of the season.

But he could not help sending out a 'come and get me' plea to Premier League clubs.

Gattuso was speaking to Sky ahead of Sunday's crucial Milan derby against Inter, where AC Milan need a win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive while their rivals would sew up their third straight title with the three points.

"We're focussed on the derby. I've been asked a lot of questions because I haven't spoken about it at this time," said Gattuso.

"I don't want to speak because I don't want to inflict my personal problems on the group because our aim is fourth spot.

"Afterwards there will be time to talk about my things. Right now we have an important objective, fourth place."

Milan sit fifth in the league with three games to play, just two points behind Fiorentina in the crucial fourth and final Champions League qualifying place.

But once the season is over, it seems as if the combative Gattuso's most likely destination is going to be England.

He already has experience of British football having spent a season at Rangers earlier in his career.

"I would like to have the possibility to play in the Premier League," he said. "It's a dream I've always had and have never realised.

"I think I have the right characteristics to play in that championship."