Milan’s pursuit of Assan Ouedraogo, the promising young talent from Schalke 04, has been a patient waiting game. The Italian giants have been eyeing the midfielder for a couple of transfer windows, biding their time until his manageable release clause comes into effect. However, with the clause set to activate in May, the competition for Ouedraogo’s signature has intensified, according to reports from Calciomercato.
Napoli, another Serie A heavyweight, has joined the race for the Schalke prodigy, indicating the growing interest in his services. Furthermore, German clubs Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt have also thrown their hats into the ring, adding to the competition Milan faces in securing the talented youngster.
The impending activation of Ouedraogo’s €12 million release clause has put multiple clubs on high alert. While the price tag itself won’t require negotiations, the battle for his signature will shift towards personal terms and the technical project presented to the budding midfielder.
For Milan, the pursuit of Ouedraogo spans back two years, during which they have maintained regular contact with the player’s representatives. The Rossoneri’s interest in the youngster is not without precedent, having successfully acquired Malick Thiaw from the same club in the past.
However, Ouedraogo’s journey to the cusp of a major transfer has not been without setbacks. A serious ankle injury this season sidelined him, causing him to miss out on the U-17 World Cup, where he was expected to showcase his talents on the international stage. Despite the setback, the young midfielder has managed to contribute with one goal and one assist in 11 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga, underlining his potential and attracting attention from top clubs across Europe.
