Burnley ‘interested’ in player but need to move quickly – Competition have already made an offer

Burnley remains ‘interested’ in FC Metz forward Georges Mikautadze but will face competition from AC Milan for his signature.

That’s according to Foot Mercato, who says the 22-year-old’s performances in Ligue 2 have convinced both clubs of a possible transfer this summer.

Earlier this month we covered a report stating that Burnley was strongly interested in Mikautadze, with manager Vincent Kompany impressed by what he had seen of the player this season.

That stated they were looking at the forward as they plan for next season, when they will be back in the Premier League and are keen to ensure their stay is longer than a year.

FM now back that up, stating that Mikautadze has interest from Burnley and AC Milan after scoring 22 goals and registering eight assists in Ligue 2 this season.

Those numbers have ‘caught the eye’ of clubs and they are now ready to make their move, with Milan even ‘on the case’ and making a proposal of €10m. Paolo Maldini has also held several talks with the player, who could be loaned back out to Metz for a season in France.

They seem to be ahead of Burnley at this moment in time, who are ‘also interested’ in the player but seemingly not as advanced as their Italian counterparts.

They may now want to speed that up, though, with the Champions League semi-finalists pushing ahead to get their man.

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BURNLEY NOW FACES AC MILAN BATTLE AS ITALIAN GIANTS SUBMIT BID FOR £13M ACE

Premier League newcomers Burnley now face a summer battle with AC Milan for Georges Mikautadze as the Serie A giants submit a £9 million bid for the FC Metz striker. 

You can probably call it the ‘Khvicha Kvaratskhelia effect’.

12 months after Napoli took a punt on a little-known Georgia international who would eventually fire them to Scudetto glory after 33 years of waiting, Italian rivals AC Milan appear to be on the lookout for their very own ‘Kvaradona’.

Burnley battling AC Milan for striker Georges Mikautadze

Georges Mikautadze – alongside Kvaratkshelia and Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – is part of an exciting generation emerging from a nation that could soon be flying up the FIFA rankings.

Mitautadze’s 24 goals and nine assists have Metz still in contention for promotion; third place and just three points off Bordeaux with two games remaining. The France-born poacher is likely to be on the move even if Metz does overhaul Les Girondins, however, long-time admirers Burnley offering Mikautadze the chance to prove that he can make a similar impact in a greater league.

 

Clarets boss Vincent Kompany admitted last summer that Mikautadze was a target. Now, with promotion secured, Burnley may finally have the financial muscle required to meet Metz’s £13 million asking price.

“It is a difficult one,” Kompany told Lancs Live at the time. “There are some players that are out of our range financially. For us, (Mikautadze) is a player who is probably out of our range.”

 

interest from seven-time European champions AC Milan certainly complicates Burnley’s plans. The Rossoneri have made an offer of around £9 million, albeit one that falls short of Metz’s demands (FootMercato).

Milan is in the market for a new center-forward, with Olivier Giroud at 36 and Divock Origi struggling since arriving on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Burnley, meanwhile, will be losing their top scorer from this season. Unless, of course, Southampton agrees to let Nathan Tella return to Turf Moor on a permanent basis.