A market axis could emerge between Milan and Chelsea that can guarantee Paulo Fonseca reinforcements for his team and allow Chelsea to further improve their accounts. In recent days, there have been contacts between the Rossoneri and the Blues for Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian centre-forward that the Rossoneri have identified as an important option to replace Giroud and have a quality striker after the difficulties that arose for the payment of Zirkzee’s commissions, but the discussion has also included the profiles of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and defender Trevoh Chalobah. It was an initial exploratory chat because the Blues have now passed the June 30 deadline by which they had to raise money by selling some players to get back within the Financial Fair Play limits (they started by guaranteeing a total of 100 million for Maatsen to Aston Villa, Hall to Newcastle, Hutchinson to Ipswich Town and Ziyech to Galatasaray), while Milan, especially for the midfield, are evaluating various profiles, above all that of Youssouf Fofana who is currently in pole position.
big rom
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Fonseca would like to have the new striker as soon as possible, but he also knows that in the year of the European Championships negotiations are slow, especially for players in the running for the throne of the Old Continent. Big Rom is no longer one since last night, but he still has to go on holiday and think about his future. Yesterday, leaving the stadium, in the mix zone, a journalist asked him if “will we see you in Milan?” and the answer was a smile. Not long ago Romelu had opened up to the prospect of a transfer to Saudi Arabia, but now Milan and Antonio Conte’s Napoli are after him. For the moment the former Inter coach is blocked by the Osimhen affair and Milan would like to hurry to get ahead of him, but at the same time they do not intend to satisfy Chelsea’s requests, which started with the same request made to Roma for the redemption, i.e. around 40 million euros. Too much for a striker who scored 21 goals last season, but who turned 31. In via Aldo Rossi they want to obtain the same conditions torn from Roma at the end of August, that is, a loan for around 6 million (to then discuss the purchase next summer), or buy the player for a much lower figure than initially requested. Milan knows they can still count on the advantages of the Growth Decree that has been abolished, but that Lukaku still has in force after returning to Inter and moving to Roma. This would be a significant saving for the club given that the Belgian’s salary is around 7.5 million net.
God is Chalobah
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Chalobah, like Lukaku, is not part of Maresca’s plans. Milan knows him well because they followed him several times in the past transfer sessions, even last January when he was still injured. Now the Blues are offering him to various clubs because he is a product of their youth system and the amount received would be entirely eligible for capital gains. He was proposed to Newcastle to try to get to Isak and United and West Ham have also inquired, but for the moment no one has made a move. Due to the few games played in 2023-24 by the Englishman and the initial valuation of 20 million. If Thiaw were to leave (or even if he were to stay), he could be the right man to pair up with Tomori. And Chukwuemeka? He is considered a player with great prospects. Milan is focused on Fofana, but is also monitoring other options. Because there could be more than one reinforcement in the middle, especially if there are any sales. Chukwuemeka, a central midfielder born in 2003, has not been “discarded” by Chelsea who would like to loan him out to allow him to play or let him go only for a significant sum given that in 2022 they paid 18 million euros for him. Milan inquired about the conditions and took note. With Lukaku, Chalobah and Chukwuemeka Fonseca would raise the team’s level a lot given that they are three giants who would be useful on set pieces. A factor to keep in mind even if the negotiation with Chelsea is just beginning.
