Sky journalist Peppe Di Stefano has confirmed that the road to sign Youssouf Fofana is now ‘uphill’ but suggested that Strahinja Pavlovic could be a done deal very soon.
Impatience is beginning to grow among sections of the Milan fanbase because they have been told that the club are close to various different targets and yet Alvaro Morata is still the only signing through the door.
Time continues to tick by and Milan will leave for their tour of the United States with only one of their internationals (Luka Jovic) and no new additions, given that Morata will only report for training on August 10.
Thus, there is pressure on the directors as we approach the end of July to get business done and give Paulo Fonseca the pieces he needs to give him the best chance of having a successful first season.
Di Stefano gave an update on Sky in which he touched upon the departure for the tour of the United States and the targets that have been linked with Milan. MilanNews relayed his comments.
“Tomorrow the team will leave for the United States and all the directors will be present, with negotiations that will continue anyway,” he said.
“As we said in the last few days, the Rossoneri first speak with the players’ agents and when they manage to get the yes they also try to reach an agreement with the club, it’s a method that is used by many teams, not just Milan.
“There were some difficulties for Fofana, it’s an uphill battle because there’s a lot of competition for the Frenchman, a different story for Pavlovic. The Serbian is the strong name for the Rossoneri defense and the Serbian has also chosen Milan, preferring him to other teams, the negotiation is well underway and could be closed in a few hours.
“As for Emerson Royal, Milan have Calabria and Florenzi on the right, both of whom are almost out of contract, so the Brazilian full-back could be an opportunity. What is certain, living in this environment a lot, is that Milan – after losing Kessiè, Krunic and Tonali – want to take a midfielder with certain defensive characteristics.”