Milan directors Antonio D’Ottavio and Geoffrey Moncada had hoped to cash in when Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure left for the Premier League last summer, but the pair have failed to impress.
The Rossoneri sent Origi to Nottingham Forest on a no-cost loan deal with a €4.5m buy option attached, with the English side covering the entirety of his €4m net per season wages. Considering his history at Liverpool, the Premier League return made sense and seemed the right step.
For Ballo-Toure, he joined Fulham on transfer deadline day on a dry loan deal, one without any buy options or obligations, meaning he’ll return to Milan in the summer regardless. The hope was that he’d rediscover his form after failing to impress in the Lombardy capital.
Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com highlights how Milan are now in a tricky spot with the pair ahead of the summer transfer window, having to find new homes for both when the market opens.
The Rossoneri have no interest in keeping Origi and expect him to return from Nottingham Forest at the end of the season. The club are currently exploring possible destinations in the MLS and Turkey for the striker.
Things look more difficult for Ballo-Toure; the 27-year-old has seen just 53 Premier League minutes across five matches and his stocks have dramatically fallen, seeing his market value plummet.