AC Milan enter race to sign £54 million Everton target

AC Milan have entered the race to sign Everton target Luis Alberto from Lazio.

With the January transfer window less than a fortnight away, things are picking up momentum. Teams are inquiring about their potential targets and evaluating possible deals. The winter transfer window isn’t where we generally see a blockbuster, record breaking deals. This window is largely viewed as an opportunity to solve issues that have risen mid season.

For certain clubs, the window is a last gasp attempt to sell their soon to be out of contract players for a decent fee before they become free agents in the summer. However, there are cases where a rift between a player and management or a player and a coach paves way to the exit. Luis Alberto is experiencing a similar situation at Lazio.

The Spaniard has had a fallout with the club hierarchy after he criticized Lazio’s decision to buy a plane for the club instead of paying full wages to the players. This episode has seen relations turn sour between the management and the player and now a winter exit could be very much on the cards.

Everton have taken note of the situation and are reportedly keen to bring the Spaniard to the blue half of Merseyside. Several reports stated that Carlo Ancelotti admires Alberto and wants a player of his calibre at Goodison Park. The Toffees are actively seeking a secondary playmaker in the transfer market in order to lighten the creativity load on James Rodriguez.

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Lazio are also open to selling the 28 year old with the relationship between the player and the hierarchy deemed as irreparable. Everton are not alone in Alberto’s chase which is no surprise considering his domineering performances for the Biancocelesti in the last couple of seasons.

Now, AC Milan have also joined the chase for Alberto, as per Sempre Milan. The report states that Alberto’s agent has offered his client to AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini. Rossoneri are mulling over a move with the player ready to leave Rome.

However, Lazio’s asking price will be a huge hurdle for any club wanting Alberto’s services. Claudio Lotito has slapped a price tag of £54 million (€60 million) on the player who is contracted at Stadio Olimpico till June 2025.

Milan could seriously consider signing Alberto should they fail to lock a contract extension with Hakan Calhanoglu who attracts attention from Manchester United.