Milan have cooled their interest in outgoing Porto winger Jesus Corona after failing to acquire his signature down the final stretch of the summer transfer window. According to Calciomercato, Rossoneri director of football Frederic Massara put in substantial efforts to sign the Mexico international in the last 20 days of the summer transfer campaign.
Having braced themselves for Samu Castillejo’s departure, the 2020/21 Serie A runners-up were interested in bringing Corona to the San Siro. The versatile forward is in the final year of his contract at Porto, and he has already made it abundantly clear he wants to leave Portugal for a high-profile switch. Despite the player’s desire to link up with Stefano Pioli’s side, Milan failed to convince the Dragons to sanction the move.
Milan were reluctant to pay more than €10m for a player in the final year of his contract while Porto stuck to their €15m valuation. Exhausting negotiations failed to come to fruition, which forced I Rossoneri to direct their attention towards Junior Messias of Crotone.
The 30-year-old joined the club on the deadline day, slamming the door shut for Corona’s arrival. Per the latest reports, Milan have dropped their interest in the 28-year-old and will try to capture Brest prodigy Romain Faivre should Castillejo move on. The Spaniard has failed to make Pioli’s Champions League squad and looks destined to leave.
Castillejo has several admirers in La Liga as well as Corona, who continues to play hardball on Porto over a new deal. Both players could end up in Spain come the January transfer window. While Getafe keep close tabs on the Milan outcast, Sevilla and Valencia are considering Corona as a potential reinforcement.