AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini says Fikayo Tomori’s loan move from Chelsea is close but he could still fall through.
Both clubs are close to agreeing a loan deal with a £ 25m option to buy.
Milan have been keeping an eye on the 23-year-old, along with Strasbourg defender Mohamed Simakan, their original main target.
But with Simakan out for about two months as he needs surgery, the Serie A club have been making efforts to get Tomori on loan at this window.
Asked what the points of negotiations were, Maldini said: “It is very close, we are between confirming his signing and not signing at all, he could break down with just one detail.
“We’ve seen in quality to throw it into the mix with our standard defenders, so that’s why we want it.”
Tomori came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge but has only played 27 times for Chelsea in all competitions since making his first team debut for them in May 2016.
He has secured loan spells with Brighton, Hull and Derby and is now ready to add Milan to that list.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has already confirmed that Tomori can go out on loan through the transfer window in January after refusing to let him go in the summer while Antonio Rudiger was close. the Blues leave.
Several clubs from the Premier League have also expressed interest in Tomori.
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AC Milan were among the clubs that ran Tomori’s signature last year but it was too late to strike a deal when it emerged on the final day that Rudiger would stay.
On Monday, when asked if Tomori ‘s loan was forthcoming, Lampard said: “Fikayo is a developing player. In the squad we had four midfielders last year. I can’t play four in one game and you try to find consistency at different times.Fikayo was there and later not so much.
“This year we have five backups. So the situation is difficult for those who do not play regularly and that is why he could go out on loan, to improve.
“He’s a young player. His development has been on the rise in the last two seasons since I’ve worked with him. That will continue and we’ll find the best path for that.”
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