AC Milan are preparing to formalise their long-standing interest in Norwich City defender Andrew Omobamidele.

That's according to TEAMTalk, who report that the Irish international is the subject of strong interest from the Italian giants this summer. 

City's defender has impressed Milan's chief scout Geoffrey Moncada - who is expected to play a more senior role in their recruitment drive this summer after the exits of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara from the club.

The report adds that Moncada is driving Milan's interest in the 20-year-old with a fee of £15million set to be the starting point for talks between the two clubs to commence. 

It's understood there is also Premier League interest in Omobamidele from newly promoted Sheffield United whilst Burnley and Nottingham Forest are also rumoured suitors. 

Norwich are expecting Omobamidele to depart for big money this summer having rejected a bid of over £20million from an overseas club for him in January, according to sporting director Stuart Webber. 

If a move to Milan was formalised this summer, Omobamidele would become just the second Irish player to represent the club - with the last being Paddy Sloane in the 1940s. 

Milan have utilised the English market before to sign Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea in 2021. 

They would also be able to offer the carrot of Champions League football having finished fourth in Serie A under Stefano Pioli this season. 

City right back Max Aarons is also attracting interest from Italy this summer as Roma ponder their next steps.

If Omobamidele does depart in this window - Norwich will be forced into the market to sign a replacement. 

The Pink Un: Norwich City are expecting Andrew Omobamidele to leave the club this summer. Norwich City are expecting Andrew Omobamidele to leave the club this summer. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

They've already added experience Irish international Shane Duffy to their ranks this summer - with club captain Grant Hanley expected to be absent until 2024 with an Achilles injury. 

Other senior central defender Ben Gibson is entering the final year of his contract at the club. 

Omobamidele made 34 appearances for Norwich this season, even captaining them in the final six games of the campaign. He was the youngest player to do so since the 1980s.