A number of players wish to stay and fight for their place at AC Milan despite the management having other ideas, a report claims.
According to Calciomercato.com, the Milan hierarchy want to give Stefano Pioli a new defender in January and ideally a new regista too, which would allow Ismael Bennacer to move to mezzala.
The club is though of course under constant observation from UEFA, after having broken the parameters of Financial Fair Play in recent seasons, so it becomes essential to sell those players who are not part of the project to raise funds – but some players have other plans.
In this sense, Ricardo Rodriguez and Fabio Borini are the exceptions as they have expressed a desire to change clubs. The Swiss international wants to play a part in Euro 2020 and has interest from Fenerbahce, PSV and Napoli, while Borini is expected to join Genoa for free.
On the other hand, Suso leads the group of players that Milan would happily sell this January, but the €30-35million required to facilitate his exit has resulted in no concrete offers.
Similarly, Lucas Biglia looks set to remain until at least June when his contract expires, meaning another six months of paying his €3.5m salary. Proposals have arrived from China and Argentina, but the Argentine has never taken them into consideration, condemning Milan to a total investment of €50million (when adding fee and salary).
Franck Kessie is another who Boban and Maldini want to sell given his inconsistency and reports of attitude problems. Last summer, he categorically rejected Wolves, Monaco and some Chinese clubs, West Ham is a viable hypothesis but the Ivorian is not convinced and, without his farewell, a new midfield signing is unlikely.
Right-back Andrea Conti had options in the summer to leave Milan but did not consider them, while Samuel Castillejo also rejected several offers and does not want to return to Spain 18 months after arriving as part of a €25m deal.
Meanwhile, Krzysztof Piatek is another player that Milan are willing to sell despite spending €35m on him in January. In Italy, Genoa, Fiorentina and Roma have come forward, while English side Crystal Palace have made some surveys, but the Poland international wants to stay despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival.
Winger Ante Rebic though looks set to cut short his two-year loan having failed to amass even 200 minutes of action so far.
