Transfer fee + salary: Breakdown of €29m package deal that may see Chukwueze exit AC Milan

AC Milan attacker Samuel Chukwueze has continued to attract interest from English Premier League clubs and clubs in Spain, Soccernet.ng reports. 

Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Nigerian international’s salary in Italy has forced his potential suitors to carefully weigh their options.

Yet, his potential exit from San Siro comes down to a hefty package deal—a €25 million transfer fee plus his €4 million-a-year salary—that totals around €29 million.

Transfer fee breakdown

Milan are refusing to entertain the idea of a loan move for Chukwueze. Instead, the club has placed a firm valuation of €20–25 million on the Nigerian international.

Having signed him from Villarreal in the 2023 summer for around €20m, the Rossoneri want to recoup their investment and are unwilling to sanction a cut-price departure.

Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Marco Guidi, speaking exclusively to Soccernet.ng, confirmed the club’s position:

“At the moment, he stays in Milan because no bid has arrived for him. AC Milan, at the moment, don’t want to sell him on loan, only through a transfer. The asking price is around €20–25 million, not less. So, for now, he stays at AC Milan.”

Chukwueze's Salary demands

On top of the transfer fee, Chukwueze’s wages is another obstacle for interested clubs. The 26-year-old earns €4 million net per season, which places him among Milan’s higher earners and complicates negotiations with potential buyers.

Guidi explained: “There is interest from Fulham and also from some Spanish teams, but the problem is that he earns about €4 million net each season. It’s not so easy to sell a player with that salary, and Milan won’t let him go on loan.”

This means any club that secures his signature would have to commit to a €29m package deal—combining transfer fee and wages—or slightly below.

Fulham and Spanish clubs interested

Fulham remain the most prominent suitors, eager to bring in attacking reinforcements before the Premier League window closes.

However, the London club would prefer a structured deal with an option to buy, while Milan are holding out for a permanent sale.

Spanish clubs have also made enquiries but are reluctant to take on both the €25m fee and €4m annual wage bill.

The tactical dilemma at Milan

Even if he stays at San Siro, Chukwueze faces uncertainty under Massimiliano Allegri. The new Milan boss has shown commitment to a tactical system that may not maximise the Nigerian’s attacking strengths.

That could leave him battling for minutes, as Guidi pointed out: “That’s the issue, and the other problem is that if Allegri continues with the current tactical model, it won’t be so easy to find a place for Chukwueze.”

It should be noted that without a tempting transfer offer, Chukwueze remains a Milan player. It is hoped that before the transfer window slams shut, the market shifts in his favour.