Reported Everton target Alessio Romagnoli will sign a new contract at AC Milan and commit his future to the Serie A leaders, former Rossoneri ace Luca Antonini has told Sky Italia, via Il Milanista.
The Italy international may be out of favour at the San Siro, falling behind Simon Kjaer and Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori in Stefano Pioli’s pecking order, but there’s a reason why in 2018 Milan made him their youngest captain since the legendary Franco Baresi.
And while Romagnoli’s development has plateaued in recent seasons, the former Roma ace remains a centre-half of undoubted potential and class.
That’s exactly why Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton are at the front of the queue (Milanista).
Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, believes AC Milan would listen to offers of £17 million this summer, with Romagnoli’s contract expiring in 2022.
Talks over a new deal have hit an impasse too, with the now 26-year-old demanding a new £100,000-a-week pay packet.
But, according to Antonini, a Scudetto winner with Milan a decade ago, Romagnoli’s present and future remains at the San Siro.
“As for the renewal of the contract, I think we can reach an agreement that satisfies both him and the club. He is still young, but he has already accumulated a fair amount of experience,” Antonini says.
“He is also an important player for Italian football. Romagnoli is very close to Milan, he has shown he is a great captain and that he has a strong sense of attachment to the Rossoneri shirt.
“I believe both he and Milan want to continue together.”
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb a few weeks ago, former Serie A boss Luigi Cagni implored Milan to cash in on Romangoli, claiming the out-of-favour defender “hasn’t improved anything” during his time in red and black.
It’s fair to say Antonini doesn’t agree with Cragni’s bullish assessment.
“I must say it’s a bit surprising to see Romagnoli being questioned, especially since he proved to be a leader for the team last year, along with (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and Kjaer.”
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