While Italian reports continue to push Marco Asensio from Real Madrid, in England it’s claimed Milan are close to Hakim Ziyech in a deal worth €25m.
The Rossoneri are looking for someone with Champions League experience who can play in a variety of supporting attacking roles, either out wide on the right or in the trequartista position behind a centre-forward.
They seem to have narrowed the list down to Ziyech and Asensio.
According to the Italian newspapers this morning, Asensio would be the preferred option, as the 26-year-old Spain international is in the final year of his contract in Madrid.
Scoring 12 goals in 42 competitive games this season, Asensio can play in any of the three attacking roles behind or around the main striker.
His asking price is circa €30m, but it’s suggested in England this evening that Milan could clinch Ziyech for cheaper.
He is older, at 29, but would crucially be available on loan for €5m with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for a further €20m, according to the Chelsea transfer pundit CFC Sheikh.
Ziyech has long been linked with the Rossoneri and Serie A, so is believed to be eager for this transfer.
The Morocco international found the net eight times with six assists in 44 competitive appearances for Chelsea this term, including in the European Super Cup win over Villarreal.
If Milan can indeed get Ziyech on loan first, that will allow them to spread their financial resources to other roles for this summer, while the club is still completing the takeover from RedBird.
Breaking: Hakim Ziyech is moving closer to join AC Milan on loan till the end of the season. AC Milan are readying an offer of €5m loan fee with an obligation to buy of around €20m+. Hakim Ziyech is pushing for the move and is a long term target of Milan.
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) June 27, 2022
Not bad, not good either. Inconsistent. Better than what we already have, but still…
good price for him , better than salesmaker
Milan should be able to buy them both, Ziyech as a midfielder, and Asensio as a winger
I’d prefer Ziyech. He’s creative and excels in making chances and that’s what we need, plus he has a good long shot.
Asensio is good too, even a better long shot taker than Ziyech but I doubt he’ll be as good as Ziyech as an attacking midfielder, while they’re both equally good as right wingers.
5m upfront with option to buy sounds ideal for Milan though.
25m looks a bit steep for this kid at 29 years old, but with a plan of 5m plus 20m to rescue him (I would prefer an option and not an obligation) does not sound bad