The Sweden international was the Rossoneri's main transfer target in the summer of 2006 but his move to Milan was halted by the club's involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal - which saw them docked eight points prior to the 2006/07 campaign.

Ibrahimovic, who left Juventus after they were demoted to the second division for their part in the same scandal, instead signed for Milan's city rivals Inter.

"Ibrahimovic is a champion," Berlusconi told AC Milan's official website.

"We would surely have bought him if it weren't for the unjust punishment we had to deal with last summer.

"Unfortunately, we were involved in the Calciopoli trials.

"We felt aggrieved by the situation and we were unable to act in the transfer market. It was a missed chance, perhaps the only one.

"We had already decided to buy Ibrahimovic. We thought he was the right player for us."

Ibrahimovic has since shone for Inter, who won the Scudetto last season and sit top of the Serie A standings this time around.

The 26-year-old has been on top form for the Nerazzurri in the current campaign, scoring seven goals in as many league games and finding the net twice in the Champions League.

"I would have liked to have seen him play for Milan," added Berlusconi. "But I'm not angry that he's at Inter now."