AC Milan’s financial hopes of recouping significant funds through player sales have encountered setbacks, with negotiations over Nigerian winger, Samuel Chukwueze facing early stagnation.
Despite Milan’s intent to trim their wage bill and boost income following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish eighth and miss out on European football, the club is yet to receive satisfactory offers for key squad members, including Chukwueze.
Though Tijjani Reijnders is on his way to Manchester City, they were still hoping to bring in some fresh revenue with other player sales but facing problems, as Olympique Marseille won’t pay the Ismael Bennacer option, while Atletico Madrid offers for Theo Hernandez and Betis for Samuel Chukwueze are too low.
Talks with Real Betis regarding the 26-year-old winger are still in preliminary stages. According to reports from One Football, the Spanish club’s current interest does not come close to matching the €21.1m fee, plus a potential €7m in bonuses, Milan paid to Villarreal for Chukwueze last season.
Sources within Milan had hoped the player’s marketability and attacking flair would attract better financial proposals. However, the current valuation from Betis is believed to fall significantly short of expectations, further complicating the club’s revenue-generating plans this summer.
“Chukwueze is also on his way out, but negotiations with Real Betis are still at very early stages,” One Football reported.
“It is unlikely to match the €21.1m plus up to €7m in add-ons that the Rossoneri paid to sign him from Villarreal in 2023.”
Chukwueze struggled to secure a consistent starting berth in the just-concluded Serie A season, in 26 league appearances, he started only nine times and contributed three goals and two assists. He averaged 36 minutes per game and created five big chances, with a goal every 316 minutes.
Though he was often utilised as an impact substitute, Chukwueze showed glimpses of the explosive pace and direct dribbling that made him a standout at Villarreal. His left foot produced two of his three goals, with the remaining one coming from a rare headed effort.
His overall passing accuracy stood at 84 per cent, with key passes averaging one per match. Despite a modest goal conversion rate of 9 per cent, Milan still value the winger highly and are reluctant to let him go without a suitable return on investment.
Credit: punchng.com
