AC Milan have decided to focus on getting a deal done for Lille defender Sven Botman rather than go for Nikola Milenkovic, according to a report.
According to il Corriere della Sera (via MilanLive), Milan have snubbed the idea of pursuing Milenkovic because even though he is a centre-back with the right qualities and the right profiie on which to make an investment, Fiorentina deem him to be un-transferable at least until next summer and a new defender is needed in January.
Botman on the other hand is considered by Maldini to be the first name on the wish list. Although he has a valuation of around €30m which would be very difficult to invest in one go in January, Milan have a strategy.
Their plan is to use their good relations with Lille as have been established in the several operations in recent years such as Leao and Maignan. The French club have no absolute need to sell, but they know that a talent like Botman will soon ask to go elsewhere.
Maldini wants to complete a Tomori-style operation – a loan with option to buy – he will try to lower the price tag, perhaps trying to include some young players as counterparts. This has already been done with Lille as Milan paid €25m cash plus Tiago Djalò for Leao.
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