When Milan decided to spend £4.5m on Jens Petter Hauge from Bodø/Glimt in early October, it was quite clear that it was a transfer for the future.
The now 21-year-old, while a regular with the Norwegian side, needed time to adapt to a higher level, and time is what Stefano Pioli is giving him.
Playing him sporadically, the Italian manager still managed to showcase the winger’s ability, which drew Southampton F.C. and Ralph Hasenhüttl to asking for him on loan in January.
The news was well covered in Italy, with the Saints wanting to strengthen their attack, and since Hauge can play in most positions across the front three, he was an ideal target.
Milan, however, decided against letting their starlet leave, even on loan, and pushed back the efforts from both Southampton and Stuttgart.
Calciomercato look at it again on Friday, because the Serie A’s side decision to leave Hauge out of their Europa League squad may have raised eyebrows about his future, but that isn’t the case.
The Italian website make it clear Milan ‘believe’ in their ‘baby Norwegian’ and in his quality.
It was actually Pioli, ‘in agreement with the board’, who preferred to keep him around for the second part of the campaign rather than send him to St Mary’s.
