Atalanta star offered to AC Milan as Romagnoli’s replacement
AC Milan are planning for life after Romagnoli. The Italian defender is set to leave soon despite being in renewal talks.
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu left AC Milan during the summer as free agents. Their departure has not been felt on the pitch but it surely caused an economic damage to the club. Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli are set to follow in their footsteps at the end of the season.
Alessio Romagnoli is in negotiations to extend his contract with AC Milan but chances of his permanence are low. Romagnoli is currently earning 6 million per season while the Rossoneri have offered him a new contract at 3.5 million (bonuses included). The Italian defender is willing to accept a reduction but not below 4.5 million per year. Meanwhile, Milan are already looking to find his replacement.
Journalist Alessandro Jacobone reports that Atalanta centre back Jose Luis Palomino has been offered to AC Milan. The Argentine defender has been part of the Bergamo club for the past five years playing a key role in Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad.
Palomino is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. Renewal talks with Atalanta have been unsuccessful so far and the 31-year-old centre back is considering other options for his future. The Rossoneri management are currently evaluating his agent’s proposal.
Signing Jose Luis Palomino would mean securing one of the best defenders of Serie A in recent seasons without paying a transfer fee. In addition, Palomino’s salary is relatively low compared to Romagnoli. The Atalanta centre back earns close to one million euros per season and has proved himself to be a reliable defender even in the Champions League.
The age of Palomino age is an obvious problem. Elliott does not favor the signing of players over 30 but that transfer policy has had exceptions. The best example is that of Simon Kjaer. The Dane joined AC Milan from Atalanta and has established himself as a fundamental player in Stefano Pioli’s formation. Can history be repeated? Only time will tell.
READ MORE: AC Milan plan to sell 2 players in January