AC Milan are unlikely to take up the option of signing Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko on a permanent contract if they do not qualify for the Champions League.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined the Rossoneri last summer on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea and the Serie A giants have an option to make his stay permanent at the end of the campaign.
After a slow start in Italy, the midfielder gradually became a key part of Gennaro Gattuso’s squad and has been one of the first names on his team-sheet over the last few months.
AC Milan have been keen to take up the €38m option and keep Bakayoko at the club, but their recent form has again brought forward doubts about the club being in the Champions League next season.
And according to Italian daily Tuttosport, AC Milan will not sign Bakayoko on a free transfer if they do not qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.
The Rossoneri are convinced about the Frenchman’s quality but do not want to spend €38m on a player without incoming Champions League money.
The club are likely to divert their resources to other players if they miss out on a Champions League spot.
They are still fourth in the league table but fifth-placed Lazio are level on points with AC Milan and Roma are just a point behind the Rossoneri.
