Liverpool have reportedly joined the race for AC Milan winger M’Baye Niang, who is also on the radar of Arsenal and Everton.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, M’Baye Niang is set to leave AC Milan, with the player having already ‘said his goodbyes’ to his teammates. The player is currently staying at a hotel and is expected to secure a move away from the Rossoneri in the January transfer window.
TuttoMercato state that West Ham and Liverpool are the clubs most interested in his signature, while Everton and Crystal Palace are also monitoring his situation. They also claim that a bid of £15.5 million will be enough to convince the Rossoneri to sell.
Niang is said to be unhappy at Milan as he feels that the club does not “strongly believe in his quality” and it is for this reason that he is looking for a move. Niang joined Milan in the 2012-13 season from Caen for an undisclosed fee, signing a 3 year contract.
Niang confirmed last year that he had rejected offers from both Arsenal and Everton before joining AC Milan despite Caen accepting those offers, while also confirming that AC Milan had rejected a bid for him from eventual Premier League champions Leicester City in January last year.
The links with Arsenal have now resurfaced as a result of Niang’s desire to leave, with the Mirror claiming that the Gunners will reignite their interest in the Frenchman. AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella also confirmed that Niang was likely to leave.
” Niang might leave the club,” Montella told Milan TV, according to the Mirror. “He’s discussing it with the management. He won’t be called up for the game against Juve as I thought he would definitely have been distracted.”
The 22-year old Niang has made 18 appearances for Milan this season – 5 of which have come as a substitute – with a return of 3 goals and 2 assists. Once considered one of the brightest talents in world football, Niang’s progress seems to have stalled at San Siro.
A move to the Premier League might just be what he needs to kickstart his career once more and given both Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger’s history of nurturing young players, both Liverpool and Arsenal present ideal destinations for the French prospect.
It seems slightly unlikely that Arsene Wenger will opt to sign the winger, however, as Arsenal are well stocked in that position. Jurgen Klopp could yet make a move given the injury-riddled nature of his present squad, but there has been no word from either manager on whether a potential approach is on the cards.
