Milan raise offer to €35m as Chelsea battles for Barcelona’s Gerard Martin

AC Milan intensifies battle with Chelsea for Barcelona’s Gerard Martin, ready to boost bid to €35 million

AC Milan have dramatically escalated their pursuit of Barcelona’s promising defender Gerard Martin, with new reports revealing that the Serie A giants are prepared to increase their offer from an initial €20 million to a substantial €35 million. The Rossoneri now face stiff competition from Premier League heavyweight Chelsea, who are also actively vying to secure the Spaniard’s signature.

According to sources cited by El Nacional and MilanNews.it, Milan’s renewed determination to strengthen their defensive line has driven this significant bid escalation. The timing comes after Milan’s recent 2-2 pre-season draw against Celtic at Celtic Park, where defensive vulnerabilities were starkly exposed. The Rossoneri trailed by two goals due to lapses at the back before mounting a comeback in the second half, highlighting an urgent need to reinforce their defensive options ahead of the new campaign.

The strategic move to pursue Martin signals Milan’s prioritization of shoring up their backline, with the club now prepared to outbid Chelsea to finalize the deal. However, Chelsea’s entry into the race complicates negotiations, potentially forcing Milan into a rapid decision-making process to secure Martin’s services before the transfer window closes.

This aggressive approach underlines Milan’s commitment to bolstering their squad with quality defensive talent in order to address the shortcomings witnessed in their opening friendly. With a competitive offer on the table, Milan have sent a clear message of intent but must now fend off strong English competition to complete what could be a crucial signing for their defensive stability.