AC Milan have had a second bid rejected for Youssouf Fofana by Monaco but they will continue their attempts to land him, according to a report.
According to Calciomercato.com, Milan were anxiously awaiting a response from Monaco to the second offer presented about a week ago and it arrived in the last few hours. The Ligue 1 club do not consider the bid of €17m including bonuses to be enough.
The parties are still in contact and there is no sign of a slowdown in the negotiations, while – according to French sources – Milan are getting closer to the asking price of sporting director Thiago Scuro.
In recent days there has been a lot of talk about Manchester United and Atletico Madrid entering the race Fofana and L’Equipe spoke of a €35m bid from West Ham for the France international.
Calciomercato.com add that the Hammers are seriously trying for the 25-year-old but he does not seem to be interested in the move because he wants a club that will participate in the next edition of the Champions League.
Fofana is in a hurry to know his fate because he is currently on vacation after the European Championship and is set to return to training soon to begin preparing for the new season.
He wants to join Milan and has agreed a four-year contract at around €3m net plus bonuses per season. Now, it is up to Milan to decide whether to go back in with a third offer or go for other targets.
In the best case scenario, we will get him for free next season, but as of now, we’re simply too far from what Monaco is asking.
But we need a defensive midfielder right now, we can’t afford to play yet another season with the ball-carriers we have.
The problem with players when they are free is that their agent’s demand a higher commission and the player is eye candy for more clubs. And other clubs can offer higher wages. I dont believe we’ll be in the driver seat if he becomes a few agent next year. Inter for instance can easily swoop in
Touché.
Although frankly I’m not that eager to get Fofana (for reasons I already explained).
Also so far we’re still in square 1, aka needing a defensive midfielder right now, not for january, not for next june, but right now.
Exactly.
Nothing wrong with paying 20-25M for a starting DM who is only 25yrs of age and wants to come and on a more than reasonable salary (3M). No excuse not to get this done
Juve paid 20M to secure Thurman in the last year of his deal – because they know what they are doing with Guintoli.
We should do the same with Fofana. It’s OUR FAULT the price went up due to other clubs entering race because we WAITED and now it backfired. Had we made a solid 20M offer from the start he would already be wearing our shirt. Pay the fee and move to the next target
Then milan should offer him 10m from the 17mil and tell him so sit still till Jan
Just by prati and forget about the French b2v.
B2b. Also monaco is in the CL, or second place finish in fra isn’t cl anymore?
Prati is a good shout be he’s too young. Milan want someone “more” ready …
Never 2 young. That just means they can mold him to their needs. Ofc Milan doesn’t so molding. We like to buy young players and sell them after a season for 5M profit
If he stays in Monaco, Milan can buy him for lower price in January…
And have the likes of Reijnders, RLC and Musah hold down the midfield? Lmao, sure.
Nah. We need someone else then. This bid was fair. Manu Kone it is then. Or Richard Rios maybe.
Manu Kone it is then.
I think we are being more than reasonable with the bid for a player in the last year of his contract. It won’t surprise me if nothing happens for Fofana, and Monaco blows it ending up losing him on a free or for a margin 10 m fee in the winter.
Manu Kone is also valued around 30M€
No. More like 20-25 million.
Yesterday’s (or Saturday’s) reports had Monchengladbach asking for around 30M€. It doesn’t change much though. If we’re unwilling (or incapable) of paying 20M€-25M€ for Fofana, what does make you confident that we will somehow acquire another player for 20M€-25M€ ?
Lowballing does sometimes work but isn’t a fireproof strategy.
No he more like 30M plus
His contact runs for 2 more years – 2026
Dreaming they sell for 20M
Milan should tell Monaco its their last offer and offer Fofana an increase in his wage if he waits until January.
Richard Rios is very perfect for DM position
Unserious management
You can’t be serious… LOL!!!
If 35 mil is asked by Monaco, I agree with management if they step back. Seems like Monaco’s management is like Torino’s who simply don’t care if their player will end up leave for free, rather than accepting the price they deem suit for their players, and stick with their ego, which they are free to do so, not about right or wrong.
But I don’t think 35 mil for last year contract player with Fofana level is suitable, unless he is like world class player already. He is top class for sure, but not yet world class.
So, beter now find alternative, which I hope someone who is really pure defensive midfielder, not another box to box we already have quite sufficient.
Beggars dont get to choose. ACM could have closed the deal two weeks ago for 20 million euro, according to this site.
And now?
Its a pity they didn’t make this offer weeks ago.
We’d have the deal done and player at preseason.
Thats a fair offer. Given Monaco hasn’t accepted. Wait 6 months and negotiate a free transfer in Jan.
His market value 30m euro and in his last year contract .20-25m euro are fair price . More than 25m euro are over price unless he is in long term contract . Just choose pay 20m euro + bonus few million euro or leave to find other target , dont waste time like 2 last season chasing CDK for almost 2 month and getting pay full price from what brugge asking without getting discount,make decision fast