Milan are now willing to consider a loan to move Christopher Nkunku on, with RB Leipzig having made contact over a return to the club where he made his name.
The Frenchman's position at Milanello has become untenable in recent days. Nkunku has been told to train separately from the group alongside Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana and David Odogu, a clear sign that Ruben Amorim no longer counts on him.
That backdrop explains why the Rossoneri have softened their stance on the exit formula. In the last few hours Leipzig have been in contact with Nkunku's entourage, and Milan are open to a loan in order to speed the departure along.
Bulinews report that Leipzig are "said to have contacted the player's representatives over the weekend" to explore a potential deal. Nkunku is happy to rejoin Die Roten Bullen, though how the move would be structured remains open.
Leipzig would offer him a route back to his strongest football. Between 2019 and 2023 he registered 126 goal contributions in 172 appearances there, the numbers of a player who thrived in that system in a way he has not managed at Milan. The German side also have money available, having weighed a €60m move for FC Köln's Said El Mala.
A loan spares Milan the need to find a buyer willing to meet their valuation outright, but it does not resolve what happens at the end of any such spell. For now, the next move sits with Leipzig and the player's camp.