Milan are serious in their pursuit of Nikola Vlasic, although the early talks with CSKA Moscow have not gone well. The Rossoneri have been linked to several options to replace Hakan Calhanoglu. However, the management would rather invest in a younger player rather than in Isco or James Rodriguez. The feeling is that the choice will be between the Croatian international and Marcel Sabitzer, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The negotiation is not in its advanced stages yet, but Milan have indeed made an offer. They have proposed an initial loan with a €25M option to buy. CSKA would rather get €30M right away. The creative midfielder has a €35M release clause in his contract, with 3 more years left on it. However, the Russian club would settle for something less.
It is untrue that he has refused to show up for the pre-season preparation in Austria. Like all their other players who played at Euro 2020, he will report to the team 2 weeks later, directly in Moscow. Milan hope Vlasic will push to leave and join them. The Rossoneri have been after him for a long time, even before losing Calhanoglu.
They instead face stiff competition for Sabitzer, whose deal with RB Leipzig is up in 2022. His team is trying to convince him to extend it, while he is mulling the offers he has received thus far. Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham have come forward, on top of Milan, Calciomercato.com informs. Despite his €50M release clause, he could transfer for half of such sum due to his contractual situation.