Milan warned Tadic is not for sale

Martin Macdonald

• 5 Jul 2021 08:48 BST

Dusan Tadic will not be moving from Ajax to Milan this summer, according to director of football for the Dutch giants Marc Overmars.

The Serbian has been strongly linked with a transfer to the Rossoneri ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, with Milan eager to bring in an experienced attacking midfielder as a replacement for Hakan Calhanoglu.

Calhanoglu was locked in talks over a new contract throughout last season, but eventually left on a free transfer after no extended deal was agreed.

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Milan have prioritised the acquisition of Tadic to replace the Turkey international, as he has emerged as one of Ajax's key players since moving to Amsterdam from Southampton in June of 2018.

But, it looks like they are going to need to look elsewhere.

“He is not for sale this season,” Overmars told De Telegraaf.

“We started something beautiful three years ago and Dusan is far too important. He is the cement between the building blocks at Ajax."

Tadic has been sensational since his move to Ajax, particularly in his first campaign in 2018/19 when he scored a brilliant 38 goals and recorded 21 assists in 56 appearances.

Ajax won the Eredivisie that season and were also one of the most impressive sides in the Champions League, reaching the semi-final stage.

Who will Milan turn to next?

Tadic is the latest name on a list of attacking midfielders who have been linked with Milan as potential Calhanoglu replacements.

One name that keeps popping up is Tadic's former Ajax team-mate Hakim Ziyech, who has not had the impact at Chelsea many would have hoped for since his €40 million switch to Stamford Bridge.

Injuries and a lack of form meant that Ziyech started just 23 matches in all competitions in his debut campaign in London.

With Chelsea deploying just two attacking midfielders behind the central striker, he has been fighting for minutes up against Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Milan are also interested in bringing Isco to San Siro should new head coach Carlo Ancelotti deem the Spaniard surplus to requirements.

That was certainly the case under Zinedine Zidane as Isco started just eight La Liga games in 2020/21.

He was actually Ancelotti's first signing during his first period with Real Madrid, however, so may find himself back in favour.