Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg are still keen on signing Ghana midfielder Michael Essien in a part-exchange deal with his Italian club AC Milan, GHANAsoccernet.com can reveal.

AC Milan are still monitoring Zenit St. Petersburg defender Domenico Criscito for a possible deal before the transfer window shuts next month.

The left-back is keen on making the move to the Rossoneri, and Milan are reportedly aiming to sign the player in a part-exchange deal.

In an interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Criscito claimed that he would take a pay cut to play for the Rossoneri, with Zenit currently valuing him at €13 million.

A swap deal is also tipped in the report, claiming that last year’s free transfer Michael Essien could be going the other way in exchange for Criscito.

AC Milan to consider release of Michael Essien to Zenit St. Petersburg as a ‘medium of exchange’ to hook Domenico Criscito.

Russian club previously put a tag of € 13 million on the defender but the Rossoneri camp objected the offer.

AC Milan management plans to make the midfielder Essien as part of the negotiations to soften their stance with the Russian also keen on taking the Ghanaian.

Zenit are also demanding the freedom to make choices between Ignazio Abate, M’Baye Niang, and Cristian Zapata to be included in the transfer clause.

Criscito scored one goal as a defender plus three assists from a total of 18 appearances in the Russian premier league last season.

Essien is currently on the list of targets of Turkish side Trabzonspor and Olympiakos of Greece.