Manchester City are showing interest in Empoli youngster Kristjan Asllani, with AC Milan believing they could be rivals for his signature.
That’s according to Milan Live, who say the Italian giants are keen on the 20-year-old but are wary that City could rival them for his signature.
The website explains that Milan are on the hunt for a replacement for Frank Kessie, and while Yacine Adli is set to join in the summer, they still want someone else in there.
That’s led them to looking at Asllani, who has been ‘showing off’ in Serie A this season and is now considered the ‘jewel’ at Empoli.
The latter, in particular, is now a key player, and there is a belief Asllani could be the same, with Paolo Maldini, Frederic Massara and Stefano Pioli all said to ‘like him a lot’.
Thus the Rossoneri ‘want to get ahead’ of the competition in Europe, which is growing as there are several clubs ‘starting to come forward’.
Manchester City are one of those, with it stated that they are ‘starting to make themselves heard’ all the way from England.
That’s a concern for all involved as they can beat nearly anyone financially, particularly Milan, who are keen to avoid an open auction being started.
They are optimistic that offering a ‘substantial sum’, anything above €10m, could help them get their man, but they will offer Empoli the chance to keep Asllani on loan next season.
That is seemingly something Manchester City wouldn’t offer, or at least aren’t considering at this moment in time, although that can always change.
Either way, Milan fear that they could blow them out of the water financially and so are looking to tie up a deal for the defensive midfielder before Pep Guardiola and co really firm up their interest in the youngster.
