Report: AC Milan now prepared to sign West Ham-linked Junior Firpo permanently
AC Milan are now reportedly in a position to sign West-Ham-linked Junior Firpo outright, making a complete 180 from their previous stance of only being able to afford a loan.
According to Spanish media outlet Mundo Deportivo (19 June, Pg. 22), Milan are prepared to commence talks with Barcelona over the permanent signing of the former Real Betis left-back.
Calciomercato earlier reported that Milan had held talks previously with the Spanish side, but ended the conversation as they couldn't meet their valuation and only wanted to sign him on a loan.
This gave West Ham the chance to swoop in front, and per Mundo Deportivo, they opened talks for Firpo's services.
However, it's now being reported that he prefers a move to Italy given that Milan are prepared to recommence negotiations, this time for a permanent transfer
Get it done fast
The longer this drags on, the tougher it's going to be for us to secure Firpo's signing this summer.
At 24, he's at the ripe age to go the next level and due to the lack of playing time at Barcelona, he saw his progress thwarted.
Should we sign him, he's undoubtedly going to be our first-choice left-back. Aaron Cresswell may have done well this season, but he's 31 and needs to be replaced eventually.
Even if both are fit, Firpo's undoubtedly much better going forward and causes a potent attacking threat whenever he runs down the left flank.
The Daily Mail believe Barcelona are looking for a fee in the region of £14 million which is very good money for a 24-year-old international left-back who’s playing at one of Europe's biggest clubs.
Barcelona are desperately cash-strapped so will do everything they can to force this sale and we have to be the ones capitalising on this rare moment of opportunity.
In other West Ham news, Hammers want to sign award-winning colossus with 37 goals last season - Report