Milan have stepped up negotiations for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Luiz Adriano, according to reports.
Website CalcioMercato, as cited by Football Italia, claims that Shakhtar are willing to lower their €8 million valuation of Adriano, as the pressure increases on them to conclude a transfer for him away from the club.
The Brazil international – capped four times since debuting in 2014 – is out of contract in December and Shakhtar fear losing him on a free transfer, with it almost that he will look to move on.
United Arab Emirates based outfit Al Ahli Club reportedly were willing to match Shakhtar’s valuation, but Adriano rejected the move, with his agent, Gilmar Veloz, telling Italian media that “Luiz Adriano would like to play for Milan.”
With the Rossoneri seemingly unwilling to pay the €8 million Shakhtar desire, the Ukrainian club will have to negotiate that fee down, or risk getting nothing for a player who has scored 128 goals in 265 appearances for them.
In theory, Milan could even secure a pre-contract agreement with Adriano, which would then mean Shakhtar would have to accept their demands, or retain the 28 year-old until his contract expires.
It is becoming increasingly likely that Shakhtar will have to succumb to Milan’s terms, or hope that another team comes him for him – Roma have been linked – that can compete for his signature.
