As Jens Petter Hauge continues to be linked with an exit from AC Milan this summer, it feels like a disappointing outcome but one that could ultimately make sense.
The 21-year-old only arrived in October last year, and the early signs were positive as he made an impact when given an opportunity to impress.
READ MORE: Why Ilicic would be shrewd signing for Milan this summer
He finished last season with five goals and one assist in 24 appearances, which is arguably a decent return given the difficultly of limited playing time to find his rhythm and settle in the side to discover his best form.
Hauge exit close, possible Milan strategy behind decision
Given his age, his potential and the quality that he did display when involved for Stefano Pioli last season, it’s quite baffling really that Milan are set to move him on so soon, with Pianeta Milan reporting that he’s set to undergo his medical ahead of a move to Eintracht Frankfurt.
It’s added that it’s expected to be an initial loan move with an obligation to buy for €12m, and so Milan really are prepared to bid farewell on the young talent with no potential return on the cards.
Given the lack of quality that we’ve seen from other options in the current squad, it makes it more difficult to accept the decision to give Hauge up, although perhaps there are reasons beyond our knowledge as to why this deal is going to materialise.
Perhaps we’ve not seen what Pioli and the coaching staff have in training which has left them open to the idea of selling and bringing in a different option. Perhaps it’s a lack of tangible interest in the other individuals in the side who have disappointed and the inability to raise similar funds from their sales.
It’s arguably a combination of all those factors, and so while we, the fans, will question the decision and be left disappointed should Hauge leave in the coming days or weeks, some patience is possibly needed to see what Milan do when reinvesting that fee.
There appears to be a window for us this season and possibly next year too, to contend for the Serie A title and to try and be competitive in the Champions League to ensure that we remain in the top four and return to Europe on a consistent basis and build from there.
That arguably explains the thinking behind the signing of Olivier Giroud and the interest in Josip Ilicic, and so if Milan sell Hauge and bring in a more experienced and proven option in the final third, it could bring short-term benefits that eventually lead us to bigger and better talents further down the road.