Gennaro Gattuso has hinted he will retire from football if he is not part of AC Milan's first-team plans next season.
The 34-year-old midfielder is out of contract this summer and is hoping to sit down with vice-president Adriano Galliani to discuss a new deal.
While Gattuso admits Milan could use some fresh blood in their ranks after missing out on this year's Serie A title to Juventus, the former Italy international will walk away from football if he is not part of head coach Massimiliano Allegri's plans next season.
"Even when you win there's always something to change in a team," he said. "The Milan team is a little old and something must be done.
"My future? We'll see. I will speak with Galliani. I want to play again and if not I'll stay at home with my children. For me it is important to have a contract so I can play and feel alive."
Milan's 4-2 defeat to city rivals Inter meant they slipped four points behind Juventus, who won their first Serie A crown since 2003, with just one game to play.
Gattuso knows Milan were the architects of their own downfall but was quick to pay tribute to Juventus.
"Hats off to Juventus," he said. "They had a different mentality from ours and deserved the championship.
"But we could have done more and we got caught by a team that has grown in every game and has proved to be very tough.
"We have had many occasions that we have wasted."
