Strasbourg willing to let Mohamed Simakan leave, but only for €20m — reports

Chelsea have been supposedly looking at Mohamed Simakan of Strasbourg as a long-term option to strengthen the centre back position, but AC Milan are reportedly way ahead in the race to sign the 20-year-old.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Rossoneri’s bid of €15m plus €3m in bonuses was turned down by the Ligue 1 side, but they’re willing to deal at €18m plus €2m in bonuses. Negotiations are said to be ongoing between the two clubs, with Milan confident about their prospects due to the small difference in valuation, and also due to the player’s interest in coming to Italy. They hope to reach a resolution in the next few weeks.

L’Equipe (via Inside Futbol) are also reporting on similar lines, claiming that while Strasbourg were initially reluctant to let Simakan depart in the middle of the season, they’ve now softened their stance, and are now willing to let him go for the right price. With the financial impact of COVID-19 still being felt by football clubs, they are willing to cash in on their most valuable asset in order to bring in some much needed relief.

Alongside Milan and Chelsea, RB Leipzig and Everton are also said to be interested in the young defender, with the player having been offered to Chelsea last summer as per Sky Sports.

While nothing is ever a certainty in the world of football, it looks like Chelsea will miss out on the signature of Simakan and will need to look elsewhere in the summer.