Monaco director and Romano update offer Milan double boost in €20m midfielder chase

AC Milan have been handed a boost in their reported pursuit of Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as an admission has arrived that he is likely to move this summer.

It has been written by the media and exclaimed by fans that Milan’s defensive struggles this season are at least in part down to the lack of a natural deeper-lying midfielder in the squad, someone who can help shield a back four which has been constantly changing.

Rade Krunic started in that position at the beginning of the season but quickly fell out of favour, and since then virtually every midfielder in the squad has been tried as the No.6, with Stefano Pioli also reverting to using a double pivot for long stretches too.

One of the names that has been linked is Fofana, who has established himself as one of the stars at Monaco and even with the French national team. La Gazzetta dello Sport recently reported that a bid is being lined up.

Now, Monaco director Thiago Scuro has confirmed that the Ligue 1 giants are prepared to sell him, as Fabrizio Romano relayed.

“He is probably one of the players that we are open to selling this summer. We will see the opportunities that he has, same for Guillermo Maripán.”

Romano gave an update on Fofana in his Daily Briefing column, with the journalist explaining that he is expected to leave for a cut-price deal.

“Monaco have hinted that Youssouf Fofana could be a name to leave the club this summer, but it’s still early to know for sure where he could go and for what kind of price,” Romano said.

“My understanding is that Monaco will communicate the asking price for Fofana in one or two weeks – I think he could be available around €20m but that’s just my opinion.

“There has been interest in Fofana before – last summer, he was on Manchester United and Inter list but it’s quiet with Inter now. Let’s see what the new Man United board will decide to do, while there could also be other clubs ready to join the race.”