Milan reportedly consider hijacking Liverpool’s move for Fulham’s prodigious forward Fabio Carvalho. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri chiefs have established contacts with the youngster’s representatives to discuss a potential summer transfer.
Carvalho was on the verge of joining Liverpool on the deadline day in the January transfer window. However, the £8m deal collapsed at the 11th hour as Fulham refused to let their in-demand starlet leave Craven Cottage midway through the season.
Carvalho has played a prominent role in helping Fulham return to the Premier League following one season away from England’s top-flight. Alongside the Championship top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, the 19-year-old has been one of Marco Silva’s most trusted allies this term.
He has notched up seven goals and laid on four assists in 18 league appearances, establishing himself as one of the league’s hottest young prospects. So it comes as no surprise that the Cottagers were reluctant to let him move to Anfield in the winter.
But Liverpool could pay the price for failing to complete Carvalho’s signing in January as Milan are now hopeful of landing the Portuguese teenage sensation. Paolo Maldini and co have shown they have a keen eye for top-notch talents over the past few years.
After Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao, amongst others, Milan could now add another breathtaking talent to their juvenile squad. Carvalho’s contract in London is due to expire at the end of the season, which fits Maldini’s recruitment strategy.
Given that they are forced to operate on a tight budget, the Milan chiefs are keeping their eyes peeled for value. And while they cannot compete with Liverpool in financial bidding, the Rossoneri could offer Carvalho more playing time. That alone could be enough to tip the scales in their favour.
Milan have once again become an attractive destination for Europe’s finest talents. So it is hard to give Liverpool an advantage in the potential transfer tug-of-war come the summer.