Sheffield United 'reject bid' from AC Milan for wonderkid Ismaila Coulibaly - reports
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The young Malian midfielder is on loan with United's sister club Beerschot, and is earning rave reviews with his performances in Belgium since being signed by United from Sarpsborg 08 in Norway.
Coulibaly has scored five times in 12 games for Beerschot, his latest coming in a 1-1 draw with Gent yesterday.
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Hide AdAnd that form has reportedly caught the attention of Italian giants Milan, according to Het Laatste Nieuws in Belgium.
United included Coulibaly's name in a list of U21 players registered with the Premier League, but did not immediately apply for a visa that would enable him to play in England before shipping him to Beerschot.
“The opportunity to sign for Sheffield United was a big attraction for him,” Stephen Bettis, United's chief executive, said recently in an interview with The Athletic.
“Coulibaly knew from the start he was signing for us but going straight to Beerschot.
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Hide Ad“He found that proposition more attractive than going elsewhere. Basically, he is backing himself to be good enough to, at some stage, play for Sheffield United. A win-win for all parties.”
"Sheffield United’s recruitment department looked at him, after he was highlighted by the central group recruitment team," Bettis added.
"They saw the potential but didn’t think he was ready to play here from day one.
“This way, we got to strengthen Beerschot by signing him. They develop him but, to put it bluntly, if Chris [Wilder] says he wants him, then he gets on the next plane to England.”
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Hide AdCoulibaly admitted recently that it is his dream to one day play in the Premier League - after turning down a Champions League side to join the Blades.
And, in an interview with Gazet van Antwerpen, Coulibaly revealed: "Club Brugge talked to my agent. A lot of people thought that I would go there, but in the end this project [United] was better.
"At the same time I am certain that I will play for a Premier League club in three years.
"That would be a childhood dream come true and one that is at the back of my mind."
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