AC Milan hoping, waiting for cut-rate deal from Chelsea on Cesc Fàbregas — report

AC Milan’s pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fàbregas persists, just as it has for the past 2-3 years, but even though they are quite keen on adding the veteran midfielder to their rather young squad, they are hoping to be able to do so on a cut-rate deal.

That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Inside Futbol), who cite Milan’s ever-present financial concerns as well as potential European ban as motivating factors for driving a hard bargain — not to mention that they could sign Fàbregas for free in the summer. Previous reports claimed that Chelsea were wanting upwards of €12m for the 31-year-old with an expiring contract, but Milan would prefer to pay no more than maybe half or two-thirds that amount.

While Milan’s sporting director Leonardo has confirmed their interest in Cesc, and new chairman Ivan Gazidis threw his support behind such ambitions as well, the Rossoneri are now holding off on pushing forward with these negotiations until they see some indication from the Blues that they’d be willing to lower the price.

Presumably, some of this also depends on Fàbregas himself, who’s denied most if not all rumors linking him away from the club this January and probably still is hoping for a new contract. Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri has recently also cast his vote for the Casc Contract Campaign, although there’s been little to no movement from the club in this regard.

And so, just like Milan, we wait.