After much speculation, AC Milan and AS Monaco have reportedly agreed on a deal for midfielder Youssouf Fofana. The transfer will see Fofana leave the principality club for a fee of €23 million, with an additional €2 million in bonuses potentially linked to the Rossoneri winning trophies during the upcoming season. The player is set to sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until 2029.
While the final details of the transfer are being finalized, the deal is essentially completed, and Fofana is now waiting for Monaco’s green light to fly to Milan for his medical examination. Notably, he will not be available for Milan’s opening match of the season against Torino, set to take place at home on Saturday at 20:45. However, he could make his debut on Saturday, August 24, against Parma at 18:30.
The negotiations between the two clubs have been somewhat complicated, primarily because Fofana’s contract with Monaco runs until June 30, 2025. Milan has been cautious not to pay excessively for a player who could leave on a free transfer in a year’s time. Coach Paulo Fonseca alluded to the Rossoneri’s interest in Fofana during a press conference following their 3-1 victory over Monza in the Trofeo Berlusconi, indicating that discussions were reaching their final stages.
Fofana’s arrival is a vital addition for Milan as they seek to fill the gap left by Franck Kessie after he departed following their 2022 Scudetto triumph. Following this signing, it appears that Milan’s incoming transfers are likely complete. Fofana will join an impressive list of new signings, including Álvaro Morata, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Emerson Royal, along with Alexis Saelemaekers, who is returning from a loan at Bologna and has impressed Fonseca during the summer friendlies.
On the other hand, the outgoing transfer market remains open for Milan, with challenges in finding new clubs for Divock Origi—who has a hefty contract worth €4 million per season—and Ballo Touré, who is attracting interest from Saint-Étienne. Additionally, young player Adli has received offers from clubs in both Saudi Arabia and the Premier League.