Milan made a late attempt to sign Renato Sanches from Lille for €25m plus bonuses, claim Sky Sport Italia, but talks collapsed due to his salary demands.
They are likely to try again in the summer, as the 24-year-old midfielder is seen as a natural heir to Franck Kessie.
Gianluca Di Marzio insists the Rossoneri were prepared to make a big investment in the January transfer window and were ready to strike a deal with Lille worth €25m plus add-ons.
However, the Portugal international’s salary demands were considered excessive and there simply wasn’t time to negotiate them down.
Milan have laid the groundwork for another attempt over the summer, when Sanches will have only one year left on his contract with LOSC.
The former Benfica, Bayern Munich and Swansea City player is not the only Rossoneri target, as they are also in advanced negotiations to get Lille defender Sven Botman at the end of the season for circa €30m.