“The story of me being locked in the toilet by Tiago is true,” confessed Cobolli Gigli live on Sky Italia television.

The Bianconeri chief wants to offload the €20m-man who has been considered as one of the biggest flops of the Serie A.

“It's a shame it got out, as this was something I told a friend in confidence. In any case, Alessandro Del Piero responded to the noise of me punching the door and offered to break it down.

“I told him it was better if someone else did it, as he needed to keep his shoulders in good shape for the Fiorentina game.”

Everton, Manchester City, Benfica and Monaco have tabled some serious bids for the Portuguese midfielder but he rejected them all as he wants to play in the Champions League.

“Hopefully by midnight Tiago will have found another club,” concluded Gigli.