Diario AS: Milan enquire about Athletic Club midfielder but have advanced rejected | OneFootball

AC Milan have been linked with a move for Athletic Club midfielder Mikel Jauregiza by the Spanish press in view of the summer window.

Diario AS begin a report by recalling Ernesto Valverde’s words after Jauregiza’s performance against Rayo Vallecano: “He’s become a key player for us thanks to his hard work and effort. He played 90 minutes on Thursday, 90 today… he’s one of the most important players we have in the team right now.”

Jauregizar, who is already an U21 international for Spain, has the second-highest ball recovery number in LaLiga this season with 54, behind only Barçelona star Pedri on 81, and ahead of Real Madrid midfielder Valverde on 53.

The 21-year-old played at his hometown club Bermeo up to the first team in the regional División de Honor, before then joining Athletic Bilbao in 2021. He has a contract until June 2027, and could soon extend by another four years as a demonstration of his attachment.

For now, Jauregizar has rejected the outside interests that have come to his agency in recent months, including that of Milan. The Rossoneri tested the waters in the most recent winter transfer window and are willing to pay a transfer fee, although not the full release clause.

This season it has often been written that Milan lack balance in the midfield because of the fact there is no natural defence-shielding No.6, and Jauregizar is certainly that mould.