Double blow for AC Milan as Bayer Leverkusen determined to keep Granit Xhaka despite transfer agreement while Serie A side see €16m Javi Guerra bid rejected

Italian side Milan will have to offer significantly higher sums to sign Xhaka and Guerra than the figures they have put forward so far, according to Gazetta dello Sport.

Having lost Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah and Jeremie Frimpong this summer, as well as coach Xabi Alonso, new Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag wants to keep Xhaka at the club and use him as a reference point to rebuild their side. Milan sporting director Igli Tare might have to visit Germany to have a direct conversation with Leverkusen executives to untie the negotiations, with Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri making Xhaka his top priority.

Milan’s other target, Javi Guerra has a contract until 2027 with his club Valencia. Milan have made an offer of €16 million (£13m/$18m) which was turned down by the Spanish club, but there is expected to be another offer in the coming days.

Milan coach Allegri preponed the starting date of the pre-season so that he could have a good two months to get the players in shape when the season begins. Allegri will hope that Tare will be able to get both the deals over the line as the Rossoneri’s midfield rebuild will begin with Xhaka and Guerra.