Toulouse manager Philippe Montanier said he is planning for life without Amine Adli as Premier League giants Arsenal and Leicester City battle AC Milan for the talented forward, while speaking to the club’s official website.
After Le Tefece lost to Nantes in May’s relegation play-off, they must have known that Adli would follow new Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone out of Occitania.
The spring-heeled Adli was named Ligue 2’s Player of the Year after a season spent terrorising defenders with his searing pace and intelligent movement, catching the eye of clubs on the other side of the Atlantic along the way.
Tuttomercatoweb reported earlier in the summer that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester – two sides boasting an enviable track record in youth development – were looking to bring Adli to England.
Toulouse president Damien Comolli has already admitted that the 21-year-old does not want to extend a contract which expires in 12 months, meaning Montanier has little choice but to plan for his departure.
Is Amine Adli heading to Arsenal or Leicester City?
“Yes, kind of,” the former Nottingham Forest boss said when asked if Adli being out of the starting XI for a friendly clash with Real Sociedad was due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
“You have to be transparent. We know that Amine performed well last season and that there will be a lot of demand.
“Of course I would like him to stay with us – he’s a lovely boy, he likes to train and work. If he stays, he will play, but we are also obliged to see life without him.”
TMW reported at the start of June that Italian giants AC Milan were leading the chase for the £9 million-rated Adli, having agreed personal terms with the player himself.
Negotiations appear to have stalled since then, however, although Rossoneri director Paulo Maldini did admit on Wednesday that the club are still looking to bring in ‘a young striker’ (Goal).
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