Football Presse

Milan hold firm on Jashari despite exit interest but new manager will decide his fate

·By Paul Lindisfarne
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Ardon Jashari's future at AC Milan is unresolved and likely to remain so until the club appoints a new coach, with Atalanta and AS Roma both making exploratory approaches and Como among the clubs that have taken soundings.

AC Milan paid €39 million to sign Jashari from Club Brugge last summer, a protracted transfer that involved multiple rejected bids before the player's clear preference for the San Siro eventually prevailed. The return on that investment has fallen short of expectations.

Jashari fractured his fibula in the opening weeks of his time at the club and was not available until December, and when he did return, his performances were inconsistent enough to raise genuine questions about his long-term role in Milan's plans.

Tuttomercatoweb reported that German clubs have registered interest and Como — where Cesc Fàbregas has built a midfield-focused system that would suit Jashari's profile — have made enquiries. Journalist Matteo Moretto confirmed Atalanta's interest is concrete, noting that new sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli had tracked Jashari during his time at Juventus.

Milan's internal position, according to multiple reports, is that the club retain belief in the 23-year-old. The arguments for keeping him are not purely sentimental. Luka Modrić could leave. Adrien Rabiot may follow the departing Massimiliano Allegri to Napoli. Samuele Ricci is attracting interest. The midfield picture for next season is uncertain enough to make a hasty sale of Jashari a potentially significant error.

The complication is structural. Allegri was dismissed at the end of the season alongside sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani. Until a new sporting director and head coach are appointed, no definitive verdict on Jashari can be delivered. If the incoming coach values him and wants to build around him, he stays. If not, the offers from Atalanta, Roma and Germany will be revisited.

For a player of Jashari's age and potential, one difficult debut season at a club in institutional chaos is not necessarily a verdict on his quality. But Milan need clarity at the top before they can reach clarity on him.