Fikayo Tomori set to sign lucrative deal at Milan

Nigeria born England defender Fikayo Tomori is set to sign a bumper five-year contract at AC Milan after agreeing a new deal on Thursday night.

The former Chelsea centre back moved to the Italian club permanently last year and having played a key role in their Serie A success has been rewarded with a lucrative deal.

The 24-year-old, who has three England caps, reached an agreement for the new deal after negotiations ramped up this week before the start of the Italian season.

Tomori, who already speaks fluent Italian, received an increase in salary as part of committing his future to the famous club.

The Milan manager, Stefano Pioli, 56, was desperate to secure Tomori on a long-term deal because he was fearful of plenty of interest from Premier League clubs.

Paolo Maldini, the club’s technical director and former defender, was a driving force in signing Tomori.

The academy product was left out of the Chelsea squad under Frank Lampard, the previous manager, which limited his chances of competing for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

But a move to Italy proved beneficial as the defender received the call from Southgate last season, featuring twice — as a substitute against Andorra in October in a World Cup qualifier and then as a starter against Italy in the Nations League this summer.

Milan were particularly keen to secure Tomori after another of their key players, the midfielder Franck Kessie, left the club for Barcelona.

The Italian club are desperately seeking a replacement before they begin their season against Udinese on Saturday.

Divock Origi, the former Liverpool striker, signed for Milan on a free transfer this summer, while the highly rated Belgium attacking midfielder Charles De Ketelaere was bought for £28.8 million from Club Brugge.

Milan are also keen on signing the Chelsea forward Hakim Ziyech, who is struggling for minutes under the manager, Thomas Tuchel, but the move has stalled as the Morocco winger is unwilling to take a cut in pay. Milan are unable to match his current salary.