Milan's pursuit of Ethan Nwaneri has taken a step forward, with Arsenal now open to letting the young Englishman leave, though the two clubs want different things from any deal.
The Rossoneri have spent much of this window searching for a left-footed No.10, chasing several targets and missing out on more than one. Nwaneri has stayed on the shortlist as the search has dragged on, and Arsenal's shifting stance keeps him in play.
According to the BBC, Arsenal are willing to sanction a departure but are prioritising loan offers for the winger. A permanent sale is the less appealing outcome for them, which is where the friction with Milan starts.
Reports from Italy indicate that Milan have been exploring a loan-to-buy arrangement in recent weeks. The problem is that they are reluctant to take him on loan without a guarantee on the future, while Arsenal are steering the conversation towards exactly that kind of temporary move.
The North London club accept that Nwaneri needs regular minutes, which is what has opened the door in the first place. The terms, though, are not the ones Milan were hoping to strike this summer.
The BBC adds one caveat: should Arsenal receive a proposal significantly above their valuation for the attacking midfielder, they may be forced to reconsider a sale. Whether Milan are positioned to table that kind of money is another matter, particularly given they have already committed heavily to Diego Moreira.
From here, the deal hinges on whether Milan can bridge the gap between a loan-to-buy and an outright fee, and Arsenal hold the stronger hand.