AC Milan secretly established an impressive "alternative" midfield lineup
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Rumors swirl around Bayer Leverkusen as Granit Xhaka finds himself on AC Milan's list of prime targets. With the Swiss international expressing interest in a move to Lombardy, could a deal be imminent?
Apparently, negotiations between the two clubs are set to kick off this week, reports Italian newspaper "Gazzetta dello Sport." Xhaka has a long-term contract with Leverkusen, which runs until the end of June 2028, but Milan is rumored to make a compelling offer.
To put pressure on the negotiations, AC Milan might include defender Malick Thiaw in the deal. In the 2022/23 season, the three-time German international Thiaw moved from Schalke 04 to Lombardy and played in 22 league games. Jonathan Tah, who joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer, could be replaced by Thiaw in Leverkusen.
AC Milan's Ambitious Strategy
Football juggernaut AC Milan has set its sights on signing Xhaka to partner with Luka Modrić, the Croatian legend, in midfield. The Italian club is also reportedly eager to secure Modrić's signature, with an expected announcement in the coming days.
With the possible departures of Xabi Alonso, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, and the impending exit of Florian Wirtz, Leverkusen may find it difficult to keep hold of another key player. Xhaka, reflecting on the departures, admitted, "It takes a lot of energy. I'm not 25 anymore, but I'm 33 in September." Despite the challenges, he remains committed to the team.
While the management is working diligently to rebuild the roster, the fate of Xhaka remains uncertain. "Whether with me or without me is another question, but for now, I'm here. We're happy, and that's what counts," said Xhaka.
According to reports[5], Erik ten Hag, the new Leverkusen manager, values Xhaka's presence for stability amid the wave of player departures. However, Xhaka's desire for a change could sway Leverkusen's decision.
[5] Source: ntv.de, tno/dpa/sid
- Granit Xhaka
- AC Milan
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Luka Modrić
- Football Bundesliga
Enrichment Data:
- AC Milan's Offer: AC Milan is set to propose a transfer fee of approximately €10 million, including bonuses, for Granit Xhaka[5].
- Xhaka's Approval: Xhaka has reportedly given his consent for a move to AC Milan, potentially speeding up the transfer[4][5].
- Thiaw Involvement: A potential swap deal involving Malick Thiaw could facilitate the transfer, with Leverkusen expressing interest in the defender[4].
- Erik ten Hag's Stance: Erik ten Hag sees Xhaka as essential for maintaining stability during this transitional period, but Xhaka's desire for a new challenge could affect Leverkusen's decision[5].
These factors suggest that while there is strong interest in this transfer, the final outcome depends on Leverkusen's willingness to negotiate and the terms of the agreement.
- Despite the Commission yet to adopt a decision on the application of the Regulation, the ongoing transfer negotiations between Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan could redefine sports, particularly football, as Granit Xhaka, the Swiss international, stands on the brink of a move to Milan.
- With the possible departure of Xhaka, Leverkusen might find it challenging to maintain their stability in football, especially given the impending exits of other key players like Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, and the decision whether to keep Xhaka or not remains uncertain, particularly with AC Milan's ambitious strategy to sign Xhaka and Luka Modrić.
