Everton face competition from AC Milan in Nikola Kalinic pursuit

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Rome, Aug 14: Italian giant AC Milan have started talks with Fiorentina to land striker Nikola Kalinic, who is likewise been connected with Premier League side Everton, according to reports in Italy.

It was earlier reported that Everton had been willing to pay about £23m for the Fiorentina star, however, it is now believed that he does not want a move to the Premier League and wants to remain in Italy, indicating a possible move to Milan.

According to reports, Milan are ready to pay Fiorentina about €20m for the striker and €5m with add-ons.

But reportedly Fiorentina are asking about €30m which could prompt Milan now to include player plus cash deal.

That could come as something of a blow to Ronald Koeman as the Dutch manager was looking for another striker despite adding Spain youngster Sandro Ramirez in a £5.25m deal from Malaga and Wayne Rooney in the squad after losing first team striker Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United.

The San Siro side have been on a spending spree this season as they look to re-build up themselves among Europe's world class clubs, having completed 6th in Serie A last season.

They have spent around £100m on 11 new players including the likes of Juventus's Leonardo Bonucci, Porto's Andre Silva, Atlanta's Frank Kessie and Lazio's Lucas Biglia.

The Croatian international previously played at Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in 2009 and 2011 but failed to make his mark then. He later moved to Ukraine to Dnipro and performed impressively to later seal a move to Fiorentina.

And since his move to the Serie A outfit, the 29-year-old has scored 33 goals in 84 appearances for them.