'The elephant in the room' - AC Milan told Ardon Jashari offer not enough to convince Club Brugge to sell as CEO admits midfielder 'disappointed' by being denied dream transfer

The Belgian club rejected Milan's initial bid of €35 million (£30m/$38m) for their star midfielder. The feeling within the Brugge camp is that they can command a record transfer for the Swiss star. However, this has disappointed Jashari, as a move to San Siro would be a dream transfer for the 22-year-old. Brugge's CEO claims the Italian side needs to accept that they'll have to pay significantly more than their initial bid to bring Jashari to Milan.

Jashari caught the eye of top clubs in Europe after his impressive performances last year with Brugge, where he won both the Belgian Pro League Player of the Year and the division's Young Player of the Year. The Swiss midfielder scored four goals and provided six assists in 52 games for the club, leading the team to a second-place finish in the Belgian league and to the round of 16 in the Champions League. After Milan's pursuit of Javi Guerra failed, the club identified Jashari as the replacement for Tijjani Reijnders. However, the Belgian club are playing hardball, as they recognise Jashari's potential and won't part ways with him easily.

Speaking on rejecting Milan's bid and emphasising the club's stance on Jashari, Madou told Het Laatste Nieuws: "We met with AC Milan. Out of politeness. And without mentioning money.Three hours without talking about money was a long time in this case. No, seriously – that matter is the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room. Everyone knows what Ardon has achieved, but we don't see this as the end of a cycle as far as he's concerned."

Madou further added on Jashari's disappointment stating: "I understand he's disappointed, but it has to be right. I'm convinced he'll make a move to an absolute top club, but today it doesn't feel right."

Milan sporting director Igli Tare's stance on transfers remains the same: the club will not overspend to bring in a player and may switch to a Plan B should they decide it's not worth it.