French striker M'Baye Niang has been loaned to Genoa by struggling Serie A giants AC Milan, according to reports Wednesday.

Niang joined Milan in 2012 but spent much of last season on loan at Montpellier, where he scored four goals in 19 games for the Ligue 1 side.

The 20-year-old Niang, born in France to Senegalese parents, returned to Milan at the start of the season but has made only five appearances for Filippo Inzaghi's side.

Milan and Genoa have yet to make any official announcement but a website report on La Gazzetta dello Sport said Niang, who made a rare start for Milan in a 1-1 draw away to Torino a fortnight ago, was seen saying goodbye to the rest of his teammates after training on Wednesday.

If confirmed, the move could see Genoa drop their interest in Roma forward Marco Borriello.

For the third consecutive season, seven-times European champions Milan are struggling in Serie A and are in danger of missing out on next season's Champions League for what would be the second successive season.

Inzaghi's side suffered a humiliating 1-0 home defeat last weeekend to Atalanta, leaving the Rossoneri 20 points adrift of leaders and champions Juventus but only seven behind Napoli who occupy the third and last Champions League qualifying spot.