AC Milan are on the verge of dropping their interest in Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech due to the Moroccan's wage demands, according to a report.
Having largely failed to make a positive impression during his time at Stamford Bridge, Ziyech was tipped to make the move to San Siro in the summer transfer market.
However, a switch did not materialise for the 29-year-old, and Milan instead turned their attention to Charles de Ketelaere, striking a €35m (£30.1m) deal with Club Brugge for the Belgian.
Stefano Pioli's side have been tipped to reignite their interest in Ziyech in January, as the former Ajax man remains a peripheral figure at Chelsea under Graham Potter.
The Serie A champions are said to have been preparing a loan offer with an option to make the deal permanent for €15m (£12.9m), but Ziyech's wages have proven to be a roadblock.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ziyech is after a yearly salary of €8m (£6.9m) to make the switch to the Rossoneri, who are not willing to green light such a lucrative contract.
As a result, the Morocco international's proposed transfer to Italy is on the verge of collapse, and Milan are unlikely to change their stance unless Ziyech significantly drops his wage demands.
The former Ajax man has recorded 14 goals and 10 assists in 92 games for Chelsea since arriving in 2020, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup over the past two years.
However, Ziyech is without a direct goal contribution in nine appearances during the 2022-23 season, starting just one game in the Premier League and another one in the EFL Cup.
Despite his struggles at club level, Ziyech remains an indispensable member of the Morocco team and has started every game in their historic run to the 2022 semi-finals.
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The 29-year-old has come up with one goal and one assist in five matches in Qatar and played 82 minutes as the Atlas Lions beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to become the first African team in history to reach the last four.
Ziyech will be expected to start when Walid Regragui's side take on reigning champions France in Wednesday's semi-final as they vie to meet either Argentina or Croatia in the final.
While Milan are apparently set to drop their interest in Ziyech, the Italian champions are understood to still be pursuing a deal for another Chelsea attacker in the form of Armando Broja.
The 21-year-old signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge earlier this year, but he has only started two Premier League games this term, scoring once and providing one assist.
A separate report from Corriere Dello Sport claims that Milan could try to sign Broja on loan with an option to buy, but Chelsea are reluctant to let him leave permanently.
Ben Knapton
