Despite inching closer to completing a heavily anticipated signing of RB Salzburg defender Strahinja Pavlovic, Milan will not sell Fikayo Tomori to make room for the Serbian. According to Calciomercato, the English center-back has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League side West Ham United.
However, Milan are in no rush to discuss Tomori’s exit. Serie A runners-up would listen to offers for the former Chelsea defender, yet only if someone meets their exorbitant €40/45 million asking price. West Ham can’t afford such a sizeable figure after splashing out around €40 million to purchase Max Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
West Ham’s interest in Tomori dates back to last summer. They surveyed Milan over the 26-year-old’s availability 12 months ago, only to be rebuffed by the Italian powerhouse. The Hammers parted company with David Moyes at the end of last season and appointed Julen Lopetegui, formerly linked with Milan, as his replacement.
This managerial shift hasn’t affected the English team’s interest in the Milan ace. Kilman’s arrival may not be enough to plug substantial defensive holes at the London Stadium. On top of a disappointing 2023/24 campaign, West Ham terminated their long-term relationship with Angelo Ogbonna this past June.
With Milan set to sign Pavlovic, West Ham thought they could get Tomori on favorable terms. However, Milan’s plan is to provide new manager Paulo Fonseca with a competitive squad, which excludes sales of first-team stars, and Tomori is one of them.
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