Chelsea loanee Mario Pašalić may not get dream move to AC Milan

Mario Pašalić spent the season on loan at AC Milan, where, after a slow start, he worked his way into manager Vincenzo Montella’s plans, featuring in all but four games since the end of October.

It had been more or less assumed that the 22-year-old midfielder would turn his successful loan stay into a more permanent arrangement this summer, but since AC Milan have come into some new money, that assumption may not be as valid anymore.

"We last met with Milan about a month ago. We are waiting for the club’s decision, we’ll see what they want to do."

"Mario’s priority is to stay at Milan, but clearly other clubs are interested. There are Italian, Spanish and German teams on his trail. We are waiting for the Rossoneri but it’s normal if the other clubs are ready to move."

-Marco Naletilic; Source: Calciomercato

That’s Pašalić’s agent reminding Milan about his client’s priorities, as well as about potential interest in young Mario’s services from other teams as well, just as a good agent should. There is no mention of Chelsea anywhere in this narrative however, which is a bit unfortunate.

Pašalić was signed by Chelsea in 2014 but has just one year left on his contract. Chelsea paid £3m for the then 19-year-old Hajduk Split star, who’s certainly worth a fair bit more than that these days after impressive loan spells at Elche, AS Monaco, and AC Milan. Whatever the future holds, Pašalić should have a very good career in front of him.