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AC Milan have successfully hijacked Barcelona’s top defensive target and are now closing in on the signing.

Deco and the Blaugrana recruitment department had tracked the Senegalese prodigy following his standout performances on the international stage.

However, despite extensive pitch presentations and contract talks offered by the Catalan club, the player’s family ultimately chose a different European destination to guide his career development.

The gifted 18-year-old center-back at the heart of this transfer pursuit as AC Milan hijacks top Barcelona target is El Hadji Malick Cissé, as per the official AC Milan statement.

Having gained global recognition as one of the defensive revelations at the U-17 World Cup, Cissé became a sought-after prospect for top European scouting networks.

He’ll adapt to Europe there before eyeing a senior breakthrough.

While Barcelona was under serious consideration as a potential home, the teenage defender and his family opted to complete a move to the Rossoneri.

From Barcelona’s perspective, losing out on Cissé represents a missed opportunity to add elite physical presence and composure to their youth pipeline at Barça Atlètic.

The Catalan hierarchy viewed the Senegalese starlet as an ideal long-term project to cultivate within their system.

Nevertheless, concerns over squad pathways and the intense pressure surrounding the Spanish club led his inner circle to prioritize Serie A as a more stable environment for his initial European transition.

For AC Milan, winning Cissé’s signature highlights their aggressive scouting network in identifying top African talent before rival giants can secure agreements.

Integrating the 18-year-old into their setup gives the Italian club a formidable defensive prospect with immense upside.

As Cissé continues his progression in Italy, Barcelona will be forced to look elsewhere in the market to bolster their central defensive depth.