Milan eye shock move for Ireland international to replace Tomori

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Fikayo Tomori has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Manchester United, and AC Milan plan to replace their English centre-back with an Irish one in Andrew Omobamidele.

Tomori has impressed at Milan since joining from Chelsea for €28.5 million in the summer of 2021, helping them to the Serie A title last season.

But his performances at the heart of the Rossoneri defence have caught the eye, and United reportedly see the England international as a viable alternative to Harry Maguire, who looks to be on his way out at Old Trafford.

READ: Maguire could be replaced by England teammate at Man Utd

A swap deal involving the two players has been floated, but assuming Maguire ends up elsewhere and Tomori is simply sold for an up-front transfer fee, Milan have had to cast their net wider.

"AC Milan are looking to strengthen their defence next season and have set their sights on Andrew Omobamidele, Norwich City's Irish centre-back," report Spanish transfer specialists Fichajes.

A relative snip?

"The Rossoneri would be willing to pay €25 million for the 20-year-old's services. Omobamidele is seen as an option for the present and the future, and [Milan manager] Stefano Pioli has greenlighted his pursuit."

READ: Andrew Omobamidele's FootballTransfers profile

Omobamidele made his Premier League debut as a teenager with Norwich in September 2021, but he wasn't a regular as they were relegated from the English top flight last season.

He has become a mainstay for the Canaries this season, though, starting 26 of his 33 appearances and averaging three progressive passes out from centre-back per 90 minutes played.

Omobamidele, who is now capped six times for the Republic of Ireland, is valued at €4.1m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, putting him well within Milan's transfer budget this summer even if they do pay over the odds, as suggested.

Milan already have a young Irishman on their books in 18-year-old defender Cathal Heffernan, who joined from Cork City, initially on loan, last summer.