Nabil Djellit, journalist of French media outlet L'Equipe granted an interview to Pianetamilan.it where he talked about AC Milan and their interest in French players such as Thauvin. This is what he had to say on the Rossoneri's target and his situation amid the non-contract renewal:
"Florian Thauvin is a player who is at the end of his contract and is increasingly likely to leave in the summer. The negotiations for the renewal between him and the club are not well advanced because Olympique de Marseille does not have enough money to satisfy the footballer's demand. Thauvin can take advantage of the situation in which he finds himself today to make an agreement with a free transfer club, which allows him to receive a great signing bonus and a significant salary."
On where could Thauvin be going:
"There are a lot of rumours linking the player to a move to Italy, Milan and Napoli in particular. Sevilla in Spain is also interested. However, in my opinion there is a very good chance that he will go to Milan. The Rossoneri management seems willing to make an effort to sign him when his contract is set to expire in June. For the player, the Milan choice would be taken immediately. They are the most interested suitor in him."
On the odds to see Thauvin play with AC Milan:
"Milan would be the right destination for him because they are a great club, with a lot of prestige and a great history behind it. At the same time, it will be able to take advantage of the economic conditions because he would be not costing any transfer fees, he'll be at his contract expiry. It is true that the Rossoneri club has had many difficulties in recent years but I consider Milan to be a top club. The team is rebuilding thanks to the competence of the club, which is reinforcing the squad with quality additions. The future of Milan is undoubtedly bright, many of these young players will remain for many years and will contribute to making Milan a winning club again. AC Milan have what it takes to win trophies in the coming years. Nobody expected the Rossoneri to be in the running to win the Scudetto this year and for Thauvin, as I said before, Milan would be an excellent choice."
Kylian Mbappé was a Milan fan as a child because of his idol Robinho. Could we see him as a Rossonero maybe one day?
"I don't think Mbappè will go to Milan in the short or short term. But if in a few years Milan will be great again at European level, who knows. Milan remains a legendary club in the world of football and the Rossoneri shirt is known and famous all over the world. But the trend is that Kylian will either stay at PSG or go to Real Madrid or at Liverpool. The only Italian club that could attract Mbappè at the moment is Juve, which has been dominating for a very long time but I don't think we will see him in Italy in the next few years."
On Memphis Depay and the possibility to see him sign for Milan:
"I know that Depay wanted to go to Milan two years ago . From what I know, Memphis really likes Milan and loves the city of Milan, being a very 'fashion' guy who likes fashion, and Milan, as we know, is the fashion capital. Like Thauvin, Depay has his contract expiring at the end of the season. Whoever signs him will make a big hit. Depay is liked by many clubs and offers will certainly not be lacking, even from England. AC Milan? With a good project and an important economic offer, Depay could also go to Milan, especially if the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League. If they win the Scudetto, Milan will have even more appeal to Depay."
On Theo Hernandez not receiving a call-up for the French national team:
"The problem is that Theo Hernandez is a left-back and France is already well covered in that position. The national team of France has excellent quality left backs like his brother Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne. Theo is not the only one who is not called, even Ferland Mendy, who is the starter of Real Madrid, is not always called up. This is just to say that the competition is really big in that role. If he had been a right-back there would have been called up with no issues and he would have been in the national team for some time. Didier Deschamps tends to give confidence to those who have been in the national team for some time and who have won alongside him and who have already proved their worth in the national team. I'm not saying Deschamps will never call him, but there's no place for him right now. However, Theo is certainly a very high-value player and certainly, he has the level to play for France. He is having an exceptional season with the Rossoneri. In the attacking phase, he is incredible. In the defensive stage, he gives the impression that he is improving. It remains to be seen whether he will be called in the short or long term."
