Milan technical director Maldini talks possible permanent Tomori transfer

After falling out of favor at Stamford Bridge, the defender opted for a change in a scenario in January and joined the Serie A side on loan.

AC Milan are still contemplating whether to trigger the purchase option in Fikayo Tomori’s contract, Paolo Maldini has informed.

Tomori signed for Milan in the previous transfer window on a temporary deal from Chelsea until the end of the season.

The English center-back had largely struggled for game time under Frank Lampard in the first half of the season but has enjoyed a run of games under Stefano Pioli.

His latest appearance came in the 2-1 Serie A win against Roma, having been selected in the starting XI ahead of Alessio Romagnoli.

Speaking before the big game on Sunday, the Milan technical director confirmed the club are interested in converting Tomori’s loan deal into a permanent one but his “very high” €30 million buy option is posing a problem.

“Fikayo has particular characteristics, intensity, speed. In our opinion, it was a possible reinforcement for the second half of the season,” Maldini told Sky Sport Italia.

“There is an option to buy, it is very high, it will be an assessment between now and the end of the season whether to exercise it or not. It is a fairly clear situation.”