Fulham seeks to sign Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan for less than £26M

Fulham is pushing to make Samuel Chukwueze’s stay at Craven Cottage permanent, and they want a discount to do it. The Premier League club is in advanced negotiations with AC Milan to bring the Nigerian winger’s purchase price below the approximately €26 million (around £22 million) buy option embedded in his loan agreement.

Here’s the thing: Fulham already has the contractual right to sign Chukwueze at that price. But rather than simply exercising the clause, they’re trying to negotiate a lower fee, essentially asking Milan to take a haircut on a deal both sides already agreed to.

The deal structure and Chukwueze’s journey

Chukwueze arrived at Fulham on September 1, 2025, on a season-long loan from AC Milan. The arrangement included an option to buy that remains valid through the summer of 2026, giving Fulham a defined window to make their move.

The 27-year-old winger’s time in Italy was, by the numbers, a mixed bag. Across 70 appearances for Milan, Chukwueze scored 8 goals and provided 6 assists.

Born on May 22, 1999, Chukwueze built his reputation at Villarreal in La Liga before making the jump to Serie A. His integration at Fulham has been smooth, aligning with fellow Nigerian players such as Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.

His performances at Fulham have been strong enough to intensify the club’s desire to lock him down permanently. Milan has reportedly expressed openness to a permanent transfer, indicating a positive outlook on Chukwueze’s strong form at Craven Cottage.

Why Fulham thinks they can negotiate down

Fulham holds a buy option at €26 million, which means Milan can’t sell Chukwueze to another club while that clause is active without Fulham’s involvement. By pushing for a reduced fee, they’re betting that Milan would rather get a deal done now, even at a lower price, than risk Chukwueze returning to the San Siro as a player who doesn’t fit the system.

A player who made 70 appearances over multiple seasons but only managed 8 goals isn’t exactly someone the Rossoneri are building their future around. Milan has reportedly expressed openness to a permanent transfer, signaling a willingness to negotiate rather than dig in on the original price.

The buy option expires in summer 2026, which means these negotiations have a built-in deadline. Fulham wants certainty in their squad planning, and Milan wants to know whether they need to find a new home for Chukwueze or can simply cash the check and move on.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.