AC Milan are showing strong interest in Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Manu Koné, but any potential move hinges on the departure of Ismael Bennacer. The 23-year-old French midfielder has caught the attention of both Milan and Roma, with Gladbach reportedly willing to lower their asking price to €20 million as the transfer window nears its close.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report how Koné, who recently returned from the Olympics where he won a silver medal with France, has been a key player for Gladbach. The German club’s sporting director, Roland Virkus, has already hinted at the player’s desire to leave this summer.
However, Milan face a roster dilemma. To make room for Koné, the Rossoneri need to create space in their squad list. The potential departures of Yacine Adli and Pierre Kalulu alone would not suffice. This puts the spotlight on Ismael Bennacer, who has been underwhelming in recent performances.
Bennacer has long been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, attracted by both religious and financial factors. His current €4 million net salary is a significant burden on Milan’s wage bill, especially considering his diminished form following a serious injury in the 2022-23 Champions League derby.
While Bennacer’s contract includes a €50 million release clause, Saudi clubs are currently hesitant to invest heavily in transfer fees. Milan might be willing to negotiate a lower price to facilitate the move and subsequently pursue Koné.
The potential acquisition of Koné aligns with Milan’s transfer strategy, often referred to by Zlatan Ibrahimovic as “seven days to build the world.” However, with Roma also in the mix, securing the talented midfielder won’t be straightforward. Nonetheless, Milan appears determined to make a serious attempt to bring Koné to San Siro before the transfer window closes.
