Alexis Saelemaekers has become a driving force at Roma just as he was in the second part of last season with Bologna, and AC Milan have taken note.
As Calciomercato.com report, Saelemaekers has evolved from all points of view – tactically, technically and characteristically – to become a player who can make a difference at a club like Roma where there has been a lot of pressure this season.
Against Monza he scored his fifth goal of the season with a lovely curling shot from the left wing, and with 12 games still to go, this is already the best year in terms of goals scored. Considering Samuel Chukwueze’s disappointing return, Milan might have some regrets.
On the one hand, Saelemaekers would have gladly stayed at Milan in the summer even without having guarantees of a starting place because he knew he was highly regarded by the then-coach Paulo Fonseca.
However, for the management, the former Anderlecht had been considered surplus to requirements since day one of the summer. What he has done so far with the Giallorossi shirt has changed the perception and value in view of the summer.
There was a sort of verbal agreement between Roma and Milan on a valuation of €8-10m for Saelemaekers last summer, with Tammy Abraham coming the other way in what was a straight swap of 12-month dry loans.
The Giallorossi then got nervous when CEO Giorgio Furlani made a request of over €25m in January, as they pushed to make his signing permanent. Roma have not given up and intends to intensify contacts in the coming days to find an agreement, much will depend on Saelemaekers’ will.
The feeling is that an agreement can be found halfway, around €20m therefore, but it remains to be seen whether Florent Ghisolfi will be able to offer this figure and if there might be a change of heart from the Diavolo.
