MIlan Thauvin
ANDORRA LA VELLA, ANDORRA - JUNE 11: Florian Thauvin of France runs with the ball during the UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification match between Andorra and France at Estadi Nacional on June 11, 2019 in Andorra la Vella, Andorra. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Milan After Palmeiras and Olympique Marseille Stars

The January window has just ended, but Milan are already starting to plan ahead of next season and intend to add a left-back behind Theo Hernandez, as his backup spot remained open despite a couple of attempts. The primary target is Matias Vina, who is fresh off the Copa Libertadores win with Palmeiras.

Calciomercato.com reports that the Rossoneri were already interested a year ago, but the Brazilian club won the race, signing the 23-year-old defender for €5.5M from Club Nacional. They tried again in the past month, offering a season-long loan with option to buy, but Palmeiras did not want to sell him at this time and especially with such formula. His evaluation has spiked and Milan will try to push to complete the deal well before the summer window in order to beat the competition. The alternative is Barcelona’s Junior Firpo.

While the Rossoneri are working tirelessly to reach agreement with their own potential free agents, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu, they are also eyeing Olympique Marseille’s Florian Thauvin, who is in the same situation. Tuttomercatoweb informs that the attacker has given his priority to the Devil, is hopeful to move to Italy next year and is asking for a slight pay bump compared to his current €2.8M-per-year deal.

The site added that Milan inquired about him last summer, but his price tag was hefty given his contractual situation and the fact that he was coming off a major knee injury. He has been able to return to his previous levels after the problem, notching 7 goals and 9 assists in 28 appearances across all competitions thus far. Roma, Napoli and Atalanta are also said to be keen on him.