AC Milan have prioritised a move for Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic but there are two alternatives in Paolo Maldini’s mind.
That is according to Calciomercato.com, who report that Maldini and sporting director Ricky Massara are in search of a central defender to give Stefano Pioli ahead of the new season.
The current idea is to keep Kjaer and Romagnoli as the starting pairing for next season and to sign a young centre-back who is athletic and can step in when needed.
Milenkovic therefore remains the main target, as he knows Pioli from his time as Fiorentina boss and the player’s agent Fali Ramadani has great relations with Milan.
La Viola owner Rocco Commisso does not appear willing to grant discounts on the €30-35million asking price he has set, a figure that Maldini and Massara hope to lower, perhaps by including a counterpart in the deal like Lucas Paqueta.
There are two alternatives though in Kristoffer Ajer of Celtic and Mohamed Simakan from Strasbourg. These are two names that have been followed for a long time and that, despite the intense competition – in particular from Leicester for the Norwegian – remain targets.
Leicester’s failure to qualify for the Champions League is an extra assist in the race at Ajer, while Simakan is flexible as he can also play right-back.
