AC Milan bide their time with Dusan Vlahovic offer and consider swap deal with desperate Juventus

Milan are eager to sign a striker this summer, and all signs point towards Vlahovic being the chosen one to reinforce head coach Massimiliano Allegri's attack. While negotiations have come to a standstill, media in Italy are suggesting that the two Serie A giants could find middle ground using a swap deal.

La Gazzetta dello Sportclaims Milan could offer centre-back Malick Thiaw to Juventus in exchange for Vlahovic, as a swap deal could help bring down the financial costs of the transfer. In the event of Daniele Rugani's departure, the Old Lady would be looking in the market for defensive reinforcements. However, getting Thiaw and offloading Vlahovic would be a win-win situation for both clubs.

Juve have reportedly denied the striker's request to terminate his contract — which ends next year — and have set an asking price of €25 million (£22m/$29m), a far cry from the €40m they initially demanded. However, Milan are not willing to pay that much.

Another stumbling block in Milan's pursuit of Vlahovic has been the exorbitant wages the player wants. At Juve, he is currently earning €12m (£10m/$14m) after tax deductions. The Rossoneri, meanwhile, are willing to go only halfway, offering a proposal of €6m per year plus bonuses. They want to avoid creating tensions in the dressing room where Rafael Leao is the current highest-earning player in the squad with annual wages of €7m. Allegri is keen to reunite with the former Fiorentina forward, and the player himself finds the move attractive. However, Vlahovic's unwillingness to take a pay cut could further complicate an already delicate situation.

Well aware that nothing is set in stone with regards to the Vlahovic deal, Milan are keenly looking at alternatives in the market. Per Fabrizio Romano, they have entered talks with Monaco to sign Swiss international Breel Embolo, who would cost just €15m (£13m/$18m) and would not be a burden on the wage bill. They are also monitoring the Premier League, with reports suggesting that Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and Crystal Palace's Jean-Phillippe Mateta have found themselves on Milan's radar. A move for Bayer Leverkusen talisman Victor Boniface could materialise, too.