AC Milan are confident that Fulham will move to sign winger Samuel Chukwueze on a permanent basis in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to journalist Alessandra Gozzini in Gazzetta dello Sport. Milan News cover comments from her today about Chukwueze’s future.
He joined Fulham on loan in the summer transfer window. That deal includes an option for Marco Silva’s side to make it permanent, and it seems Milan are confident that will happen.
“A high probability”
Gozzini certainly believes it’s on the cards. That’s if her latest comments are anything to by.
“The rich Premier League could fill AC Milan’s coffers with another €24 million if Samu continues his good form in the second half of the season,” she is quoted as saying.
“He has scored three goals and four assists despite a season hampered by some physical ailments, which saw him involved extensively in the Africa Cup of Nations (third with Nigeria), forcing him to miss six Premier League matches.
“Since returning to England, he has played three more times, twice from the start against United and Everton.
“Chukwueze can now consider himself a regular in the team, and AC Milan are confident that Fulham, tenth in the league, will be able to championship, choose to exercise the buy-back option. There’s a high probability.”
If that happens, it will help Milan to ‘smile on the financial front’. They’ve already brought in €20m from selling Alex Jimenez to Milan. Added funds from Chukwueze would provide them a ‘significant boost’ ahead of next season.
‘Already an idol’
It certainly wouldn’t be surprising for Fulham to make the move permanent. Indeed, Sport Witness covered a report at the beginning of December highlighting as much.
That stated that Chukwueze was ‘already an idol’ at Craven Cottage. Reports indicated Fulham were leaning towards making his loan move permanent. Now it seems Milan think it’ll happen as well.
The numbers back up the 26-year-old as well. Despite playing just 676 minutes, he has recorded three goals and four assists in 14 games across all competitions.
That’s a major jump up from his time at AC Milan. He managed five goals and three assists in 33 games last season. His goals/assists per 90 have also jumped from 0.6 to 0.93. Perhaps that is why Fulham are convinced.