AC Milan could snatch away one of FC Barcelona's biggest youth prospects in Ilias Akhomach, according to reports.
The 18-year-old of Moroccan origin has been on the club's books since 2017 when he joined the La Masia academy.
On November 20, 2021, he made Xavi Hernandez's starting line up for the manager's debut as head coach against Espanyol as Barca won 1-0, and then featured in La Liga once more and the Copa del Rey in the 2021-2022 season.
This term, with a return to fitness for Ansu Fati, an upturn in form enjoyed by Ousmane Dembele and the arrival of Raphinha, Ilias has dropped back down to the B team now known as Barca Athletic.
Alongside the likes of Yamine Lamal, though, he is still considered one of the club's best prospects but AC Milan could look to snatch him away to the Italian Serie A according to SPORT.
Ilias' contract expires on June 30, and Barca have been trying to renew it for some time with little luck.
The two parties have been unable to see eye-to-eye on pay, and Barca have reportedly made it clear that they will not hand out exorbitant salaries to youth academy players as whoever wants to stay must be willing to make a compromise and understand the club's delicate financial situation.
Ilias appears as though he wants to say, but Milan are said to have been pushing hard to acquire his services for a while and have been in contact with his camp to make proposals and promises of first team football.
Milan technical director and club legend Paolo Maldini is clear that landing Ilias could be key to the Italian giants' future as they try and tempt Ilias into leaving his boyhood club.
With Akhomach's brother Moha one of the main stars of La Masia's Alevin category which typically runs from 10-12 years old, however, and talked up as boasting even more talent than Ilias, expect Barca to pull out the stops at the last minute and look to keep the family happy.
Though president Joan Laporta and his board will not be bullied when it comes to wages despite the undoubted potential of some of their youth players - see Ilaix Moriba - it is in their best interests not to lose two potential stars of tomorrow to a continental or domestic rival.
