Saponara to join AC Milan

Empoli striker Riccardo Saponara looks set to join AC Milan next season after Parma, who co-own the player, gave the move the go-ahead.

Massimilano Allegri’s side have bought Empoli’s 50 percent stake in the attacker for around four million euros and needed Parma’s clearance for the transfer to be confirmed.

Parma revealed on Thursday that the highly rated 21-year-old will be joining the San Siro outfit.

“There was no need for a face-to-face meeting with Milan,” Parma director general Pietro Leonardi told Sport Italia.

“A telephone conversation was all it took to define the situation regarding the future of Saponara.

“Saponara will join Milan in pre-season, but he will remain a co-owned player between our clubs.”

The Italy Under-21 international has featured 18 times for Empoli this season, scoring eight goals.