AC Milan have still not found a solution for both Divock Origi and Fode Ballo-Toure, with Turkey representing the ‘last chance’ to end a ‘total war’ as per a report.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that now the possibility of moving to the rich Saudi Pro League has evaporated and that other European leagues of a certain level (Portugal and the Netherlands, for example) closed their doors yesterday for non-free agents, Origi and Ballo-Touré are in limbo.
In fact, the pair are ever closer to staying at Milan for the entire season (or at least until January). Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it clear in a press conference that they would be training with the Futuro side, a move that did not have the desired effect in pushing them towards an exit.
There was even a day when Origi showed up at Milanello and was the only one to do so. Having understood the plans of the club (training with the Under 23s) he immediately left with the green light from the club.
Milan signed the Belgian to a four-year contract worth €4.5m net per season. He made 36 appearances and scored two goals in his first season with the Rossoneri, then went to Nottingham Forest on loan before returning.
The Turkish market remains an option, which has become more attractive thanks to the presence of coaches (Jose Mourinho) and players (Victor Osimhen) of a certain calibre. So far, however, there has been no concentrated interest in Divock, only timid enquiries.
For Ballo-Touré the market was livelier because he received offers. A deal seemed all done with Saint-Etienne, but he said no, making Milan very angry. He hoped to go to England, where he was also coming off a disappointing experience with Fulham, but instead nothing emerged.
In Turkey the market closes on September 13 and there is still time. The Milan management are ‘hoping for a miracle to free themselves of their salaries’, but if this does not happen, after the break for the national teams the two will stay at least until January. The ‘total war’ continues.
