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Exclusive: AC Milan's idea for Genoa star fails as Napoli aim to complete January deal

Exclusive: AC Milan's idea for Genoa star fails as Napoli aim to complete January deal

A second striker, just 21 years old, already flashes of great talent put on display in the first year in Serie A. The identikit is the right one. Christian Kouame was not approached by AC Milan by chance, an idea that responded perfectly to what was missing to Gattuso for a more competitive 4-4-2.

The player cost Genoa only 5 million and has become a new gold mine for Preziosi who values him now at 30/35 million, with the will of the club to hold on the player until June. Thus, Milan's idea to sign the player in January on loan with a set option to buy cannot have success.

To further complicate the plans there was the inclusion of Napoli, now alerted of the interest of Milan and the meetings by the player's agent with Roma's Monchi. The strategy of De Laurentiis and Giuntoli is clear: buy Kouame immediately, leaving him on loan for 6 months at Genoa. An option that would convince Preziosi and that would deliver even more talent to Ancelotti next summer. In the last hours, the deal has come alive and both clubs are in constant contact to reach an agreement.

Napoli are now in pole position for Kouame and have already started contacts with the agent of the player, to get closer to a final agreement. Milan are now almost out of the race, as Napoli can buy the player immediately and leave him at Genoa, the exact opposite of Milan's solution and the option that Preziosi prefers. This is why De Laurentiis feels in pole position.