Milan close to signing Soualiho Meite from Torino

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Milan could be about to make their first signing of the January transfer window with the acquisition of midfielder Soualiho Meite from Torino.

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Meite will sign on loan initially with the option to buy in the summer for around €10m.

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Earlier this week, Torino chief Davide Vagnati confirmed the interest in the 26-year-old.

“There are several clubs who are interested in Meite and Milan are one of them,” he told DAZN.

“He is an interesting player, there’s attention around him, but we’ll have to see if this chatter turns into action.”

Milan director Ricky Massara also commented on the speculation, but refused to confirm if the Rossoneri would be making a bid.

“There are many names that are linked with us. We are evaluating various positions and talking to the coach to see if any additions need to be made,” the Milan chief said, also to DAZN.

“There’s a long way to go in the transfer window, we’ll see next week if these situations can be developed.”

In the days since, however, it appears there have been developments, with Milan now set to sign the midfielder from their fellow Serie A side.

After a €8m transfer to Monaco in June of 2017, he would only go on to make a handful of appearances for the Ligue 1 side, eventually going out on loan to Bordeaux.

He would find himself at Torino as part of the deal that took Antonio Barreca to Monaco, and he has developed into a fine midfielder since.

Milan are looking for some competition in midfield for the Serie A run in, with club set to be left light in that area should something happen to Ismael Bennacer, Sandro Tonali, or Franck Kessie.

The Rossoneri had been interested in Lille’s Boubakary Soumare previously, but are reportedly out of the race to sign him now with Man Utd emerging as favourites to land his signature.