AC Milan and Werder Bremen have defined an agreement for Fode Ballo-Toure’s move to the Bundesliga amid Fulham’s interest in the out-of-sorts left-back.
Gianluca Di Marzio states the deal could go through by the end of the week, with the Rossoneri gunning for a fee of €5 million for the unsettled defender.
Milan signed the 26-year-old on a free transfer from Monaco as a back-up option for first-team stalwart Theo Hernandez in 2021, but he has failed to live up to expectations.
Despite his underwhelming stint in Serie A, Ballo-Toure has generated interest from abroad, with Fulham coming close to rescuing him from his San Siro nightmare.
Fulham’s interest came in the midst of intense speculation linking Antonee Robinson with a summer exit.
However, Fulham won’t lose the defender by the look of things, so their ambition to take Ballo-Toure to the Premier League has faded.
It has opened up an opportunity for Werder to swoop in and lure the Senegalese left-back to the Bundesliga.
They have prepared a four-year contract for Ballo-Toure, who is desperate to leave Milan for regular first-team football.
Werder can guarantee the former Monaco man a starting berth, and the Germans are keen to complete the deal in the coming days.
The news of Werder’s agreement with the Rossoneri is a blow for Bologna.
Despite agreeing personal terms with the player, they will likely miss out on his signature after failing to find common ground with Milan.
Ballo-Toure’s exit could accelerate Milan’s bid to land Basel youngster Riccardo Calafiori.
The Roma youth academy graduate is the Italians’ top target to fill Ballo-Toure’s boots, although they’re only willing to bring him back to Serie A on loan.
While Basel wouldn’t mind letting the 21-year-old leave, they prefer an outright sale or a loan with an obligation to buy.
Milan have already deemed both formulas unacceptable.
