Ardon Jashari 'doesn't feel like playing for Club Brugge' amid AC Milan transfer stand-off as captain tells Serie A side to pay €40m or back off of midfielder

Brugge decided to drop Jashari from their Super Cup clash win against Union SG in an attempt to show the player that they aren't willing to budge on their €40 million (£35m/$46m) transfer valuation. Club Captain Vanaken, in a post-match press conference, spoke about Jashari's absence from the game, admitting that the Swiss midfielder is in talks with Milan and adding that Jashari "doesn't feel like playing" for the team.

The Belgian club have been very clear about their demands and wanted to send a strong message to both the player and Milan. Vanaken supports the club's decision but admitted he might have done something similar if Milan came knocking for him. However, he also highlighted that the club have their own interests to protect, which must be understood. The 32-year-old hopes the situation is resolved and would love to welcome Jashari back to the team.

In a post-match interview, Vanaken said: "As we know, Ardon is in negotiations with AC Milan and doesn't feel like playing for us right now. However, his replacement has shown he has the quality to take his place. Club Brugge has shown they can win even without Ardon. If he doesn't want to play for Club Brugge anymore, we'll get over it; life goes on."

The Belgian midfielder would like to see the situation resolved, saying: "If he returns to the team, we'll treat him like a Club Brugge player. Last year, he proved he's a quality player who benefits the team. If he wants to come back to play for this club, he'll be welcome. In fact, he'll be an added value. But unfortunately, it's not up to us, but up to Ardon himself, the club, and Milan. Every player understands that, of course. And if going to Milan is the best for his career, we'll accept it. Both I and the club. But only at the right price! I admit that perhaps I would have done the same thing at his age. But we need to keep the club happy financially. The fact that there's no clause in his contract makes everything more difficult. Now it all depends on Milan. If he pays the €40 million our club is asking for, Jashari will become a Rossoneri player. Otherwise..."

Milan had earlier proposed a €32m (£28m/$37m) offer for Jashari with €6m in add-on bonuses. The Belgian club declined the offer and wanted the Italian club to pay more. Milan sporting director Igli Tare has been clear about not willing to go overboard and ruin their transfer budget by overspending on a player and rejected Brugge's counter-offer but Jashari is now determined to join Milan and also showed his desire to join the Rossoneri as he declined a move to Inter, who tried to hijack the deal. However, the cards are in Brugge's hand as the player is tied to the club until 2029.