Romano: Akanji rejects Milan due to Champions League desire – the new ideas

In the late hours of Saturday night, AC Milan were dealt a setback in the hunt for a central defender by Manuel Akanji. 

There are several irons in the fire for Milan as they look to round off the mercato strongly. However, this appears to be a saving factor for the Rossoneri, as they were dealt a blow to their hunt for a central defender last night.

Several names have been linked, but Akanji’s seemed to be the preference, with the defender also able to help at full-back should it be required, as well as being able to play in a back three, which appears to be Massimiliano Allegri’s preference this season.

Akanji says no

However, the Swiss defender will not join the Diavolo. Late last night, Fabrizio Romano reported that the defender had rejected the advances from Italy, as relayed by MilanNews.

Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

The 30-year-old rejected the finances in the deal, despite Milan already having an agreement with Manchester City. Additionally, the fact that he would have to forfeit his ability to play Champions League football had a big effect.

So, as Romano states, the club will now look to other options in the mercato, and it seems that Villareal’s Juan Foyth could be a leading option, as could Joe Gomez, the Liverpool defender.