AC Milan will now turn their efforts towards the signing of a new central midfielder and there are two names that stand out above all, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the current options of Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer, Tommaso Pobega (currently out with a muscle problem), Tiemoue Bakayoko (whose two-year loan could be ended early) and Marco Brescianini (on his way out) are not deemed to be enough.
A replacement for Franck Kessie is needed and Renato Sanches is the number one target. The operation was moving smoothly until Paris Saint-Germain decided to enter the running and complicate things given their economic power, ambitions and also the fact Christophe Galtier and Luis Campos – the head coach and sporting director during Lille’s 2020-21 Ligue 1 title win – are there.
However, PSG have not yet delivered a formal offer for him to Lille, and therefore Milan have not lost hope. The Portugal international will have to lower his salary demands which have twice been raised, but Lille have said yes to the €12m bid Milan tabled.
There is an alternative in mind: 18-year-old Aston Villa talent Carney Chukwuemeka. He has a price tag of €20m but in a year his contract will expire so that valuation could lower as the window goes on. He would ask for much less in terms of salary compared to Sanches but, rather predictably, PSG (and Barcelona) also want him.
