Alexis Saelemaekers will reportedly return to Milan as Bologna have decided not to active the winger’s buy option.
The 24-year-old Belgian forward spent the 2023-24 season on loan with the Rossoblu, where he showed a number of positives under Thiago Motta, scoring four goals and providing three assists across 30 league matches, helping the club to secure Champions League football.
Saelemaekers has struggled to show his best during his time with Milan and a low price was set for the buy option, around €10m. His contract in the Lombardy capital expires in June 2026 and the arrival of Christian Pulisic at the club has reduced his chances of featuring often.
Saelemaekers decision
Il Resto del Carlino via Calciomercato.com details how Bologna are not particularly interested in signing Saelemaekers on a definitive transfer, both due to his price tag and due to the thoughts of new coach Vincenzo Italiano, who would prefer the club to focus on other targets.
As such, the 24-year-old will return to Milan, who’ll now have to decide what to do next with the Belgian winger.
A very useful player, we could also keep him. I always liked him. Selling for anything under 12-15m would be madness anyway.
@MilanFan – Who does he displace in the team if he stays? He is a Master of None. If you want a runner for the sake of running then we have a Musah, with a higher ceiling.
True that he is worth more than 10mil, but than again, for the same money you could get someone who will add more than him. Either more technical or physical player. He is kind of average in both… I can see why the Bologna prior to qualifying saw him as an upgrade/more than decent player, the Bologna in the CL need something more.
Convert him to a full right wing