Milan are looking for potential replacements for Franck Kessié, and Jordan Veretout is among the candidates. The club is resigned to the fact that the Ivorian midfielder will depart in the summer. Rather than engaging in potentially fruitless negotiation, they are scouring the market to substitute him properly, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
The Rossoneri did the same with Gianluigi Donnarumma last season by acquiring Mike Maignan early. They are eyeing Lille in this case too, as Renato Sanches is their main target. However, the Italian club is aware of the potentially fierce competition.
Therefore, Milan are preparing some alternatives, starting with Veretout. The Frenchman has not been a full-time starter lately. The Giallorossi could consider cashing in on him to bring in players that better suit José Mourinho’s ideas. He would be more affordable than Sanches, as his price tag is around €20M. It could decrease if he continues to struggle in the second half of the season.
The Rossoneri have already made some moves to address the future of the midfield. They purchased Yacine Adli last summer and left him on loan to Bordeaux. Moreover, they are finalizing the extension of Ismael Bennacer. Milan appreciate Veretout also because he is a better scorer than their current options.
Instead, on the Kessié front, considering his contractual demands and the commissions, it would take a €90M investment to retain him, the outlet informs. It is too much for the bigwigs, but they have no doubts about his professionalism, and the coach will keep leaning on him.