AC Milan are keen on Empoli playmaker Tommaso Baldanzi and will get a chance to watch him first hand during tomorrow night’s game at San Siro.
According to Tuttosport (via PianetaMilan), the Italian Under 21 international is a target for Milan ahead of the summer window as he continues to impress in his first Serie A season having scored four goals.
However, Inter are also keen on the 20-year-old – who is a boyhood Milan fan – so it is possible that in the summer there will be a transfer market derby between the Rossoneri and the Nerazzurri to sign him.
The sporting director of Empoli, Pietro Accardi, stated the other day that ‘staying another year can only do good’ for Baldanzi, but ‘when an opportunity presents itself, it must be evaluated’.
In the summer of 2019 the Rossoneri took two players from the Tuscan side who had just been relegated to Serie B, namely Rade Krunić for €8m and Ismaël Bennacer for €18m with bonuses included.
For Baldanzi it would likely take a fee of €15m which could rise if he adds to his goals tally, while Stefano Pioli was asked about the young attacking midfielder during his press conference earlier today.
“Empoli have been playing a certain type of football with a roar for many years. They are fast, quick, technical, they take good positions on the pitch and they will make us run a lot and well. Baldanzi is a young player with potential,” he said.
One way to win this race is to offer to buy him this summer and leave him on loan for another year. Offer X, with 50% this summer and the rest next summer. It’s a win/win. Empoli gets some money, retains their player for another season and Baldanzi gets another season of growth in familiar surroundings and without the pressure of Milan. Meanwhile, it gives us another season to evaluate CDK.
Or start negotiating with Empoli now. Don’t wait for the summer and for him to have another good game, cause his price will rise and it will be more dificult to get him. At the moment Baldanzi is the bigest Italian talent who just turned 20y 13 days ago. His price can start going up rapidly next season.