Milan readying swoop for Inter-linked Assan Ouédraogo | OneFootball

Milan are expressing a keen interest in the signature of Schalke 04 sensation Assan Ouédraogo.

That’s according to Calciomerato’s Daniele Longo, who, on Saturday, have provided an insight into the heated race for one of German football’s most highly-regarded up-and-coming talents.

Ouédraogo is a 17-year-old midfielder, who is currently plying his trade in the academy setup of the aforementioned Schalke.

Die Knappen, for their part, are desperate to keep hold of the German youth international, but are understood to be facing up to the very real prospect that he will be on the move in the near future.

A whole host of big name clubs are keeping a close eye on Ouédraogo’s situation, with all of Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Liverpool and Milan’s city rivals Inter having been tipped as potential landing spots.

The Rossoneri, though, are desperate to beat out the competition for his signature, having identified the teenage starlet as a star in the making across a scouting mission spanning 18 months.

They were initially hopeful of striking a deal as early as January, but have been warned off as much by Schalke.

In turn, the San Siro brass are ready to open imminent negotiations, with a view to a transfer in the summer of 2024.

Conor Laird | GIFN