Even the options of Saudi Arabia and top European leagues like Portugal and the Netherlands have now faded: Divock Origi and Fodé Ballo-Touré are increasingly likely to stay at Milan at least until January. But, Turkey is the last hope.
The two AC Milan players are out of the project
For the club and Paulo Fonseca, the two have been out of the technical project since the beginning of the season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed this during the 2024/25 season presentation press conference: "They will train with Milan Futuro," the second team coached by Daniele Bonera that competes in Serie C. This choice was made to force their hand and push them to find a new arrangement, but the move did not have the desired outcome: on that day, only Origi showed up at Milanello and then promptly left with the club's approval.
Divock Origi training in Florence?
Origi, whom Milan signed in 2022 on a free transfer after his contract with Liverpool expired, has a contract with the Rossoneri until 2026 with a salary of 4.5 million euros net per season. After a first season with 36 appearances and 2 goals, he was loaned to Nottingham Forest but found limited playing time in the Premier League (22 matches and 1 goal), and the English club decided not to make the transfer permanent, as relayed via Calciomercato.com.
Today, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the Belgian striker is training alone in Florence, supervised by a trusted coach, waiting for a call. A move to Turkey remains possible, where the transfer market is open until September 13 and where Victor Osimhen has just arrived on loan at Galatasaray, but so far there have been no offers beyond a few inquiries.
Fodé Ballo-Touré's situation at Milanello...
Unlike Origi, Ballo-Touré had several opportunities to leave Milan in recent weeks. Saint-Étienne seemed almost finalised, but the Senegalese full-back refused, infuriating the club.
Ballo-Touré was waiting for an opportunity in the Premier League after a disappointing experience with Fulham, but no calls came from England, so he remains and, like his Belgian teammate, is training alone. The Rossoneri management hopes that he too might find an opening in Turkey.
