Milan are reportedly in the same situation again, unwilling to match the Leeds United offer for Charles De Ketelaere and hoping the player can push Club Brugge to accept their proposal.
This is becoming a recurring theme for the Rossoneri, who already lost out on Sven Botman when out-bid by Newcastle United and only able to delay the move for so long until LOSC had to take the bigger fee.
According to Milan transfer expert Daniele Longo on Calciomercato.com, they are back in the same situation with 21-year-old creative midfielder De Ketelaere.
Leeds United have reportedly offered €37m including various add-ons, far more than the €30m including bonuses that Milan are proposing.
If they refuse to be drawn into a bidding war, and that has been the approach throughout the tenure of directors Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara along with CEO Ivan Gazidis, then Club Brugge could push the Belgian towards Leeds.
While De Ketelaere prefers Milan and Champions League football, there is only so far player power can go, especially when he is under contract with Brugge until June 2024.
The alternative would be either free agent Paulo Dybala, who has huge €6m per season salary demands, or Hakim Ziyech on loan with option to buy from Chelsea.