Napoli have made it clear to Andre Silva’s agent they will move for the striker if AC Milan fail to qualify for the Champions League next summer, claims RA1 Sport, via Football Italia.
Milan made Silva one of the club’s most expensive ever players when they lavished €38m (£34m) on his signature in the summer.
Vincenzo Montella’s side spent more than €200m (£179m) in pre-season but have made an underwhelming start to the season that could prove very costly at the end of the campaign.
In order to stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play, Milan will reportedly be forced to sell a number of their star players if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Napoli are monitoring Silva’s progress this season as sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has been tracking his development over the last few years.
The Serie A giants have reportedly already made their interest clear to Silva's agent, but they will not be the only side interested in his signature if Milan are forced to cash in.
Montella’s side are already seven points adrift of the top four in Serie A and their best route to the Champions League might be to win this season’s Europa League.
Silva has scored four goals in three Europa League games this season, while he has struggled to make the same impact in Italy. The 21-year-old is still looking for his first Serie A goal, but has only started three of Milan’s opening eight league games.