Brendan Rodgers has asked Leicester City to sign Florian Thauvin from Marseille with his £85,000-a-week wage demands proving a little too rich for AC Milan, as reported by Calciomercato.
For almost any footballer, hearing that Paolo Maldini is a big fan of yours must be something of a ‘pinch me’ moment.
But unless the 2018 World Cup winner reduces his prohibitive wage demands, he will not be joining forces with one of world football’s most legendary figures at the current Serie A leaders.
Pianeta Milan reported on Tuesday that technical director Maldini is so determined to bring Thauvin to Milan that he is willing to offer Samu Castillejo, another left-footed right winger, in exchange.
But the fees involved could put off a Rossoneri side who have been hit hard in the pocket by football’s ongoing financial crisis.
Marseille want £18 million for Thauvin, despite the fact that the Frenchman’s contract is due to expire in July. The man himself, meanwhile, is allegedly hoping for £85,000-a-week.
And there are genuine concerns at the San Siro that Milan could be pipped to the post by a Leicester side sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League heading into the November international break.
Calciomercato adds that Rodgers has asked Leicester to bring Thauvin back to England, despite his well-publicised difficulties at Newcastle United.
One of the most naturally gifted wingers in Europe should not be written off by Foxes fans on the back of six short months on Tyneside, however.
It was five years ago, after all, and a fresh-faced Thauvin was not helped by Steve McClaren’s decision to play him in an ill-fated left-hand side position.
Since switching to the right at Marseille, Thauvin has taken his game to a whole new level. He produced 15, 22 and 16 goals in three successive Ligue 1 seasons at the Stade Velodrome.
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