MILAN. Milan are still looking for an attacking midfielder who can replace Hakan Calhanoglu, who moved to Inter on a free transfer. Many names have been associated with the Rossoneri team. In Stefano Pioli’s 4-2-3-1, the playmaker behind the central striker is a central element. The first choice is the Moroccan Hakim Ziyech, 28, who has little space at Chelsea. Like Marcel Sabitzer, 27, Austrian from Leipzig. But they seem to be tracks that are difficult to implement. On the other hand, there are not many confirmations on the Rossoneri’s interest in Nikola Vlasic, 23, Croatian of CSKA Moscow.
This is why at this moment the most plausible hypothesis leads to Josip Ilicic, 33, a splendid protagonist two seasons ago with Atalanta in the Champions League, then forced to face a heavy psychological crisis caused by the anguish of Covid-19, which hit in the spring of 2020. Since then Ilicic has never returned to his levels with the Bergamo players. Now other players come first in the hierarchies of Gian Piero Gasperini, such as Pessina, Malinovskyi and Miranchuk. In the Rossoneri Ilicic could play for the starting position with Brahim Diaz, who has just been redeemed by Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Milan want to close as soon as possible the negotiations for the extension of Franck Kessie’s contract, which expires on 30 June 2022. After losing Donnarumma and Calhanoglu on a free transfer, it is unthinkable to risk greeting Kessie, a true leader in field of the team, all the more so since the player is vigilant about placing the paw of a Calhanoglu bis. That’s why the player will be satisfied. Its demand is 6 million a year. The classic filing negotiations are in progress between the fixed and variable component of the engagement. But hardly the white smoke will not come with Kessie.