Defender Luca Kilian has revealed that he turned down the chance to join AC Milan in favour of a move to Mainz.
Alessandro Jacobone was the first to link Kilian with Milan back in May, adding that Ralf Rangnick – who then looked set to become the new manager – would use him in his 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 system.
German outlet Kicker then picked up on the link, claiming that the the young centre-back be one of the first signings that Rangnick goes for if he were to join Milan.
In the end, Kilian did not arrive at San Siro but instead moved to Mainz as they triggered his €2million release clause. The Germany U21 international has revealed though that the interest from Milan was in fact serious.
“There was the Milan option, but I rejected it. For me that has never been a viable path. In no case would I have accepted. I don’t see myself abroad yet, I want to establish myself in the Bundesliga first,” he said (via Calciomercato.it).
In the end, Stefano Pioli ended up staying on as head coach and now Milan are believed to be looking towards other more established profiles such as Nikola Milenkovic.
