Club Brugge Transfer Deadlock: Milan Must Raise Jashari Bid

Club Brugge transfer negotiations over Ardon Jashari have hit a stubborn roadblock, and the Belgian club’s hierarchy is in no mood to budge until AC Milan recognise, in CEO Bob Madou’s words, “the elephant in the room” – the player’s true market value.

Club Brugge Transfer Impasse Explained

The current Club Brugge transfer standoff began late last week when Milan tabled an opening proposal believed to be around €12 million plus bonuses. Brugge immediately rejected it, valuing the 21-year-old Swiss midfielder closer to €20 million and stressing that they are under no fiscal pressure to sell. Madou publicly confirmed the refusal, stating that Milan’s offer “did not even start the conversation” and urging the Rossoneri to “look at comparable deals across Europe before calling again.”

Jashari, who only arrived in Bruges in January, has quickly become a key component in Ronny Deila’s high-octane midfield. His range of passing, off-ball intelligence, and relentless pressing make him a natural fit for Milan’s long-term succession plan in the engine room. Yet those same attributes are precisely why Brugge feel entitled to a premium fee.

Why Milan’s Opening Offer Fell Short

Sporting directors across Serie A have grown accustomed to snatching undervalued talent from Belgium, but Brugge have shifted that narrative. They sold Charles De Ketelaere for €35 million and are pointing to that precedent. Internally, Milan’s bid was framed as “fair for potential,” but Brugge countered with completed transfers for Orkun Kökçü (€25 million to Benfica) and Enzo Fernández’s meteoric €121 million switch to Chelsea as more relevant benchmarks.

Jashari’s Perspective: Dream Deferred

The player’s camp, meanwhile, acknowledged that the failed Club Brugge transfer request has left Jashari “disappointed.” Milan had presented a five-year contract worth €2 million per season—quadruple his current salary. Despite the frustration, sources close to the Swiss international say he will not down tools, convinced that professionalism is the quickest route to a breakthrough.

Financial Reality Behind the Club Brugge Transfer Price Tag

Brugge’s model relies on developing assets and extracting top-tier fees without sacrificing competitive success at home or in Europe. They secured Champions League football three times in the last five seasons, and lucrative UEFA revenue means they can afford to wait.

Market Comparisons

Madou referenced Rennes’ €21 million capture of Désiré Doué and Salzburg’s €25 million valuation of Oscar Gloukh when explaining the current Club Brugge transfer stance. Jashari is a full international with 16 caps, and Brugge argue that Switzerland’s consistent appearances at major tournaments add a commercial premium.

Wage Structure and Long-Term Planning

The club also considers internal parity. Should they accept a low bid, dressing-room morale might dip, with senior players questioning their own price tags. Brugge’s recruitment department meticulously plots sales years in advance, and Jashari was pencilled in for 2025, not 2024. Accelerating that timeline, they insist, requires “an extraordinary proposal.”

What AC Milan Must Do Next

AC Milan director Geoffrey Moncada now faces three pathways: raise the cash, add performance-based clauses, or walk away. Sources in Italy claim Milan may return with €15 million plus €5 million in achievable bonuses. That still might not satisfy Brugge but would at least reopen dialogue.

Possible Sweeteners

A forgotten ace up Milan’s sleeve is their rich loan pool. Offering Brugge immediate midfield cover—perhaps in the form of Yacine Adli on a season-long loan—could bridge the valuation gap. Brugge have shown willingness to accept makeweights before; the Charles De Ketelaere deal came with sell-on clauses and appearance bonuses that ultimately benefited both clubs.

Loan with Obligation?

A structure involving an initial paid loan worth €4 million, followed by a €16 million obligation to buy in 2025, would spread Milan’s financial hit while meeting Brugge’s headline figure. Italian clubs often prefer this mechanism to balance Financial Fair Play accounts, and Brugge might tolerate delayed gratification as long as the final amount is guaranteed.

Competition from Other Clubs

The longer the Club Brugge transfer debate drags on, the more likely rivals will enter the race. Borussia Dortmund have already scouted Jashari twice this spring, and Brighton’s analytics department flagged him months ago. Brugge know that stirring a bidding war is their best leverage.

Timeline and Next Steps

Madou has imposed an informal deadline: serious bids must arrive before Brugge’s Champions League qualifier in late July. After that, the club will pivot focus entirely toward on-field objectives. Milan therefore have roughly three weeks to align internal budgets, offload fringe players, and return with a compelling package.

Behind the scenes, Jashari’s agent has maintained regular contact with Brugge’s sporting director, confirming the player’s desire but reiterating he will honour his contract. For now, he remains in preseason training and is slated to start a friendly against Raków Częstochowa. Milan scouts will be in attendance, notebooks ready, hoping a standout performance nudges ownership toward a higher offer.

Our View: A Pragmatic Resolution Needed

Club Brugge transfer brinkmanship is nothing new, yet Milan should recognise when pragmatism eclipses haggling. Jashari fills a clear tactical need, fits the age profile of their recent recruitment drive, and would command resale value in Serie A. Meeting Brugge halfway—through a structured deal laden with realistic bonuses—serves all parties. Delay too long, and another opportunistic club could steal in, turning a potential Rossoneri linchpin into just another “one that got away.”