Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on the contract situation of AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli as they line up a summer move for the defender.
According to a report from Calciomercato.com, La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have expressed an interest in signing AC Milan centre-back Alessio Romagnoli in the summer transfer window.
Romagnoli has been with Milan since 2015, having joined from fellow Serie A club AS Roma and has steadily grown into one of Rossoneri’s most important players. It is for this reason that the Italian international was made the club captain ahead of the last season. And, he has thrived under the new responsibility, making a solid impression at the back.
Prior to his injury earlier this month, the 26-year-old had featured 28 times across all competitions for Milan this term, helping them to the second spot in Serie A. However, Romagnoli’s current contract with the club runs out in a little over a year, which has now led to questions being raised over his future.
Romagnoli’s agent, Mino Raiola, wants Milan to double his current wages which stand around €3.5 million per year. But the Rossoneri are unwilling to offer more than €4 million-a-year for the 26-year-old, leading to a standoff in negotiations.
And with the emergence of Fikayo Tomori, who was signed on loan from Chelsea, but is being lined up for a permanent transfer, Milan could consider the possibility of cashing in on Romagnoli in the upcoming transfer window. This development has put Barcelona on high alert, with the Catalans now pondering over a move.
As things stand, Barcelona have as many as five centre-backs in their squad in Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza. However, Pique is not getting any younger while Lenglet has struggled to perform on a consistent level over the course of the season.
Plus, Umtiti’s injury problems are also a major concern for Barcelona, so much so that the club is prepared to let him go for a free at the end of the season. So, a new left-sided centre-back would be a welcome addition for the Catalan giants and Romagnoli becomes a viable target.
A report by Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato) claims that Romagnoli could be available for just €20 million in the summer, which should be within reach for Barcelona despite their financial troubles. What now remains to be seen is whether the Blaugrana do launch a move for the 26-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester United recently.
