Chelsea ace Fikayo Tomori's future made clear as AC Milan make transfer clause decision
Fikayo Tomori's Chelsea future has become clear after AC Milan reportedly made a decision on a release clause inserted into the 23-year-old's loan deal.
AC Milan will exercise their option to make Fikayo Tomori’s loan deal a permanent switch, according to reports. The Serie A side have a £24million (€28m) option to sign the Chelsea defender.
Tomori joined Milan on a temporary deal during the January transfer window after falling out of favour under former Blues boss Frank Lampard.
He now seems set to turn the move into a permanent deal, despite Lampard’s dismissal later that month. Thomas Tuchel replaced the Chelsea legend on January 26.
Tuchel drastically improved Chelsea’s form after taking over. The west Londoners were ninth in the Premier League but eventually finished fourth, despite some disappointing results towards the end of the domestic campaign.
They culminated Tuchel’s impressive first five months by beating Manchester City in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori seems set to join AC Milan in a permanent transfer (Image: GETTY)
Kai Havertz collected Mason Mount’s pass to score the only goal of the game in Porto.
Tuchel has generally favoured a back three during his time in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger often flank Thiago Silva. The latter was replaced by Andreas Christensen during the first half of the Champions League final after suffering an injury.
Tomori would return from his loan in Italy to find a wealth of talent in his position.
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Chelsea are also believed to want to add to their centre-back options this summer.
Fellow loanee Marc Guehi, who spent the season impressing at Swansea City, will also return to Chelsea. However, the 20-year-old will likely be sent back out to a Premier League club to continue his development.
But Milan are set to activate the clause inserted into Tomori’s deal to make his loan permanent, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has a wealth of defensive talent (Image: GETTY)
Rossoneri head coach Stefano Pioli has already confirmed that he would like to sign the 23-year-old when the transfer window reopens on June 9.
“We want to buy Tomori on a permanent deal from Chelsea," the Milan boss said on May 10.
"Our intention is clear and also Fikayo's decision (staying at Milan). We'll see what happens at the end of the season.”
Canada-born Tomori made 22 appearances for Milan after signing in January, including 17 in Serie A.