AC Milan face ‘difficult negotiations’ with regards to agreeing to contract renewals for Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Both key individuals will see their current contracts expire this summer, and as of yet, there has been no indication that fresh agreements are imminent.
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In fact, Sky Sport Italia paint a concerning picture at this stage, as they report that the ‘most difficult negotiations’ will be with the duo in question as there is still distance between the two parties in their attempts to reach deals.
That’s far from reassuring given the importance of the pair to Stefano Pioli, and so it remains to be seen if there is a breakthrough and more positive news in the coming days and months.
Naturally, it’s hoped that the off-field contract talks aren’t a distraction as Milan look to try and qualify for the Champions League in the final nine games of the Serie A season.
Meanwhile, the report above adds that Milan don’t intend on keeping Mario Mandzukic beyond this season unless he enjoys a decisive end to the campaign which forces them to rethink their plan, while Soualiho Meite and Brahim Diaz are said to be in a similar position.
Further, it’s suggested that Diogo Dalot’s loan spell will not be made a permanent move at the end of the season and so he will likely return to Manchester United, while captain Alessio Romagnoli may well have seen talk over his renewal go quiet for the time being.
However, there was some positive updates too in the report from Sky, as it’s noted that Milan are budgeting to sign Fikayo Tomori outright from Chelsea this summer in a deal which could cost up to €28m.
In addition, there is a desire to agree new deals with Franck Kessie and Davide Calabria, and so right across the spectrum it appears as though the Rossoneri will be busy in the coming months and the early part of the summer trying to sort out the futures of various key individuals.
It’s arguably not ideal to have so many question marks hanging over the first-team squad, but qualifying for the Champions League is the focus for now and if successful, that will certainly make decision-making this summer a lot easier for the Milan hierarchy given the financial boost it brings.