Milan want option to buy Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori as part of loan deal

Milan want an option to buy Fikayo Tomori if they sign the Chelsea centre-back on loan. The Serie A leaders are looking to strengthen their defence this month and have opened talks over a deal for Tomori, who has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard this season.

Milan first inquired about taking Tomori on an initial 18-month loan but they are also interested in a deal that would make the transfer permanent at the end of season. It is understood the fee would be about £26m.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea are prepared to open the door to Tomori leaving on a permanent basis. Lampard has insisted the England international, who has made only four appearances in all competitions this season, remains part of his long-term plans.

Yet Lampard’s comments have not stopped Milan, who have also rivalled RB Leipzig for the Strasbourg centre-back Mohamed Simakan, from pursuing a permanent deal. Their director of football, Frederic Massara, has tracked Tomori for a long time. Massara tried to sign Tomori last summer and when working for Roma.

Tomori emerged from Chelsea’s academy and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season. However he is fifth in the pecking order in central defence at the moment and Lampard has confirmed that he can go on loan, sparking interest from clubs in the Premier League and La Liga.

Chelsea were prepared to let Tomori leave on loan during the last transfer window on deadline day after Antonio Rüdiger, who had fallen out of favour, saw moves to Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham and Milan fall through. The 23-year-old Tomori rejected the chance to join West Ham after receiving no assurances that he would be a regular.

That decision has not paid off for Tomori, who had also been targeted by Rennes and Everton. He has often struggled to make the matchday squad and has grown restless in recent months. Lampard brought him to Derby on loan in the 2018-19 season and initially used him extensively after becoming Chelsea’s manager 18 months ago. Yet Tomori fell out of favour during the second half of last season, with injuries also stalling his progress.

Tomori’s departure on a temporary basis looks inevitable. Leeds and Newcastle could try to rival Milan, and there may be renewed interest from Rennes as well as clubs in La Liga.

source: theguardian.com