AC Milan bide their time with Dusan Vlahovic offer and consider swap deal with desperate Juventus

AC Milan are not rushing the Dusan Vlahovic operation, well aware that Juventus are more desperate to offload the Serbian than they are to sign him.

  • Milan keep Juve waiting
  • Vlahovic could reunite with Allegri
  • Wages remain a point of contention

AC Milan bide their time with Dusan Vlahovic offer and consider swap deal with desperate JuventusAC Milan bide their time with Dusan Vlahovic offer and consider swap deal with desperate JuventusAC Milan bide their time with Dusan Vlahovic offer and consider swap deal with desperate Juventus

Milan are eager to sign a striker this summer, and all signs point towards Vlahovic being the chosen one to reinforce head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s attack. While negotiations have come to a standstill, media in are suggesting that the two giants could find middle ground using a swap deal.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Milan could offer centre-back Malick Thiaw to in exchange for Vlahovic, as a swap deal could help bring down the financial costs of the transfer. In the event of Daniele Rugani’s departure, the Old Lady would be looking in the market for defensive reinforcements. However, getting Thiaw and offloading Vlahovic would be a win-win situation for both clubs.

Juve have reportedly denied the striker’s request to terminate his contract — which ends next year — and have set an asking price of €25 million (£22m/$29m), a far cry from the €40m they initially demanded. However, Milan are not willing to pay that much.

Another stumbling block in Milan’s pursuit of Vlahovic has been the exorbitant wages the player wants. At Juve, he is currently earning €12m (£10m/$14m) after tax deductions. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, are willing to go only halfway, offering a proposal of €6m per year plus bonuses. They want to avoid creating tensions in the dressing room where Rafael Leao is the current highest-earning player in the squad with annual wages of €7m. Allegri is keen to reunite with the former forward, and the player himself finds the move attractive. However, Vlahovic’s unwillingness to take a pay cut could further complicate an already delicate situation.

Well aware that nothing is set in stone with regards to the Vlahovic deal, Milan are keenly looking at alternatives in the market. Per Fabrizio Romano, they have entered talks with to sign Swiss international Breel Embolo, who would cost just €15m (£13m/$18m) and would not be a burden on the wage bill. They are also monitoring the , with reports suggesting that ‘s Nicolas Jackson and ‘s Jean-Phillippe Mateta have found themselves on Milan’s radar. A move for talisman Victor Boniface could materialise, too.