AC Milan have taken a big step forward in their chase for Koni De Winter. The 23-year-old Belgian defender has agreed to personal terms with the Rossoneri and is ready to make the switch from Genoa.
Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, with Genoa asking for a total package of around €25 million, a figure that includes a fixed fee plus bonuses. Sources close to Softfootball revealed that Genoa are open to finding a solution, especially as the player has made it clear he wants AC Milan.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano broke the story on his official X account in a tweet.
He Revealed:
“Koni De Winter has agreed on personal terms with AC Milan, yes to the project.
“Negotiations between AC Milan and Genoa are ongoing with request around €25m total package.
“Genoa are open to finding a solution as De Winter wants Milan.”
De Winter is expected to earn about €1.5m per season if the deal goes through. Genoa, whose defender is under contract until 2028, are already sounding out replacements.
The move effectively ends Inter Milan’s interest. The Nerazzurri had been monitoring De Winter but now face the reality that their city rivals have surged ahead in the race. With Milan pushing hard partly due to Malick Thiaw’s expected departure Inter may divert attention elsewhere.
For Inter, Softfootball understands that the immediate priority remains Ademola Lookman. Only after resolving that pursuit will they invest heavily in other areas.
They continue to keep an eye on Giovanni Leoni as a long-term investment, while midfield targets like Mandela Keita and Morten Frendrup depend on player exits.
The De Winter situation highlights how quickly the market landscape shifts. Inter had recently checked Genoa’s stance and potential numbers, but Milan’s decisive move now forces them to either raise their bid or walk away. Much will depend on Atalanta’s response to Inter’s sizeable offer for Lookman, the Nerazzurri’s top summer objective.
For now, Milan are firmly in the driver’s seat, and unless talks collapse, Koni De Winter could be wearing red and black before the window shuts.
