Milan have been after Renato Sanches and Sven Botman since last Autumn. One of the two chases is about to come to fruition, as they are nearing an agreement for the midfielder. Instead, the acquisition of the defender has become more complicated.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Rossoneri and Lille are defining the details of the transfer of the Portuguese international. He should join for an €18/20M fee. He would earn €3M per year at his new club. The parties wish to seal the deal in short order. The 24-year-old visited the team’s facilities and met the Italian champions’ management in late May.
While Milan are making progress for Sanches, Botman is more distant. More teams have joined the race for the defender, which is driving up his price tag. On top of Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham are also tracking him. The French club is asking for €40/45M now, more than in the past.
Our Take on Milan Pursuing Sanches and Botman
The Scudetto winners have their priorities in order, as they need a midfielder more than a center-back. The likely newcomer is not as gritty as Franck Kessié, but he can easily play in the hole, with Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer taking the reins as the top pivots. Sanches would be a great purchase at those numbers, and they are kept in check by his short-term contract, while Botman might have gotten too pricey for Milan, if the rumors were true. There could be better deals out there.