Milan facing permanent end to Harder pursuit, Vlahovic and Arokodare latest | OneFootball

Milan have hit a wall in their pursuit of Sporting CP striker Conrad Harder and are now facing the prospect of abandoning negotiations altogether despite having an agreement in place with the selling party.

Milan set to miss out on Harder

As was originally reported by Michele Criscitello, which Football Italia can confirm, Milan have been delayed in their signing of Harder from Sporting, and that delay could now become a permanent end.

This would be an extraordinary collapse given that Milan had already exchanged the necessary documents with Sporting. Importantly, however, the Rossoneri have not received the final go-ahead to complete the transfer.

FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 31: Conrad Harder of Sporting CP in action during warm up before the start of the Portuguese Super Cup match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Algarve on July 31, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

This is partly due to increasing pressure from Ligue 1 side Rennes, and not just Sporting’s need to find a replacement for Harder.

The situation leaves Milan still in need of a new centre-forward given that Santiago Gimenez is still the only recognised, senior player in that role as things stand.

FARO, PORTUGAL – JULY 19: Tolu Arokodare of KRC Genk with Daniel Braganca of Sporting CP in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and KRC Genk at Estadio Algarve on July 19, 2023 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Intermediaries have suggested the possibility of signing Tolu Arokodare from Genk, but the Nigeria international is also in talks to join Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As we have reported for several months, Massimiliano Allegri has one clear name in mind when it comes to a new centre-forward for Milan, and that is Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus.