MN: AC Milan closing Maignan-like top summer signing

AC Milan are closing in on Lille defender Sven Botman in the same way they did for Mike Maignan one year ago.

The Rossoneri fans should expect the arrival of a young centre back during the winter transfer window. The choice is between Malick Thiaw and Maxime Esteve but that’s not all. In fact, AC Milan have been working intensively during these weeks for the next summer window to gift coach Stefano Pioli a top level player.

Since Simon Kjaer’s injury, the Rossoneri management has been trying to sign Sven Botman. The Lille center back, born in 2000, has always been Paolo Maldini’s number one pick to replace Kjaer and at the same time form a formidable partnership alongside Fikayo Tomori.

Nevertheless, bringing Botman at San Siro in January was impossible for AC Milan. Lille want to secure a spot in Champions League for next season and also do well in the current campaign where they are facing Chelsea in the round of 16. So, nothing to do for Paolo Maldini? On the contrary. The Rossoneri strategy has evolved and there is a great optimism that everything will be concluded in the best way possible shortly.

Milan and Lille have laid the path for a summer transfer. MilanNews.it reports that AC Milan have already agreed personal terms with Botman for a long-term contract. The defender has rejected a very rich contract from Newcastle in order to join the Rossoneri. The Italian side and Lille are in negotiations over a 33 million euros transfer fee for the 22-year-old Netherlands international.

The deal for Botman is being completed in similar fashion like for Mike Maignan. Even for the French goalkeeper AC Milan completed the agreement with Lille months before the summer window opened. When Maldini understood that Donnarumma would not be renewing his contract, he closed for Maignan anticipating the competition of other European clubs. Paolo is about to repeat the same feat again.

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