English central defender Fikayo Tomori has endured an up-and-down time at Milan since his initial loan move from Chelsea in 2021, which then became permanent. He’s previously been a stalwart in the Milan defence, but over time, his prominence has waned, and now it looks likely there will be a parting of ways in the summer.
Current Situation at Milan
Since Sergio Conceicao arrived as Milan manager, replacing the outgoing Paulo Fonseca, Tomori has found himself out of the picture. Following a red card against Empoli, Tomori’s playing time has been limited, and he’s officially lost his starting place in the team. And with good results of late without him and the football betting odds in favour of Milan, he’s unlikely to reclaim it anytime soon.
Potential Suitors
It was evident in the January transfer window that Milan would be open to selling Tomori. Spurs came in for him, proposing a 25 million euros plus bonuses deal, only for the player himself to reject the move. However, the summer could be a different story, with the likes of Carabao Cup winners Newcastle United, who could be playing in the Champions League next season, and West Ham United, thought to be admirers at the 25 million euros mark.
Financial Implications for Milan
Milan’s financial landscape is complex. The club posted a modest profit of €4.4 million for the year ending June 30, 2024, marking its second year in the black. However, if they fail to qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League, it could result in a significant revenue shortfall, estimated at around €40 million upfront, which could be problematic.
This is where player sales come in, as they offer a way to mitigate financial deficits. Milan could be looking to generate around €50 million if things don’t go their way, and selling Tomori for €25 million would provide a large chunk of what they need in one fell swoop. It’s highly unlikely the price tag would put off Premier League clubs as it’s relatively cheap for a player classed as homegrown.
Strategic Considerations for Milan
Offloading Tomori would present financial benefits to Milan. However, losing Tomori would also pose some challenges. The defender has the ability, he’s the right age, and he’s got experience playing in Serie A, for Milan, and in the Champions League. There have been efforts of late to strengthen the defence and losing Tomori would weaken it. So, a suitable replacement would be needed, and can one be found that makes sense financially?
Conclusion
Fikayo Tomori’s future is uncertain; there’s no doubt about it. Milan were open to him moving on in January, and there’s no reason why their position will change between now and the summer. What will be interesting is where Tomori goes next, as he was keen to stay put even though Premier League clubs came calling several months ago. Also, will Milan regret selling the central defender? He may be out of favour, but football is a squad game, especially for teams competing on multiple fronts.
