After weeks of difficult negotiations, AC Milan believe that they are close to a decisive breakthrough and that Youssouf Fofana could soon become the fourth summer signing.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that Monaco are willing to let Fofana go, but only under certain conditions, i.e. with an economic offer deemed appropriate. CEO Giorgio Furlani, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic are studying the new offer.
They have put forward an offer worth €20m and are now thinking about adding €4-5m in bonuses linked to certain conditions. Either way, it seems that the Ligue 1 club will not get the fixed €25m they want or the €35m that West Ham were willing to offer before the midfielder turned them down.
For a player who will be able to sign for any club from January, this is still a significant sum and as we approach the end of the window, Monaco’s position is destined to soften because they know that in 12 months they will get nothing.
The Frenchman himself is putting some pressure on his current club and – after missing the final preseason game against Barcelona – he will not be involved in Monaco’s league opener against Saint-Etienne.
While Fofana continues to train separately, Milan have an agreement with the player for a salary of around €3m net per season and if they do not agree a transfer fee this summer then the contract offer would remain on the table for next year.
Milan remain optimistic about the white smoke and are not overly worried by the rumours that Fofana is in Manchester United’s sights. He is a name the Red Devils like, but Manuel Ugarte of PSG is the priority while Fofana has made it clear he wants the Rossoneri.
