While the AC Milan management begin to plan for the post-Pioli era by picking his replacement, they must also start to think about who could come in to improve a squad that has been lacking in big games.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the new Milan coach will receive a gift upon signing: the management will give him the most expensive striker in the entire history of the club. Obviously, paths could cross earlier and the next coach will be able to have his say on the incomings.
There are already several chairs around the decision-making table: Zlatan Ibrahimovic representing the owners, the technical director Geoffrey Moncada and then the CEO Giorgio Furlani who is responsible for the financial area.
A new 9
The coach will be able to indicate the most popular profile in the short list of those selected by the club. The list includes Joshua Zirkzee, a Bologna striker who reached double figures in Serie A for goals last night and who would cost north of €40m.
There is no shortage of alternatives: different in technical characteristics, lower in cost. Benjamin Sesko also stands out for his age: 20 years old, the youngest among the candidates, with 10 goals in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig two in the Champions League. He would cost around €50m.
Lille’s Jonathan David remains on the list, whose contract expires in 2025. The continuity with which he has scored in Ligue 1 for a couple of seasons is an attraction for many clubs. Milan also negotiated over him in recent months and the contacts have never stopped, while the player would approve the move too.
Santiago Gimenez is scoring plenty at Feyenoord but as a result his asking price has now gone up to €60m, which is too much for Milan to consider paying.
The other departments
The budget will be substantial but not unlimited. It can only grow in one way, and that is thanks to a big sale. None of the big names can be defined as untransferable. As with Sandro Tonali, the proceeds from the sale would then be reinvested in more signings.
A new midfielder will arrive and Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana should be followed carefully. As with Jonathan David, the fact he has a contract expiring in 2025 is an advantage, the obstacles are the competition.
In defence Maxence Lacroix, Lilian Brassier and the upcoming free agent Tosin Adarabioyo are the ideas which at this point will be subjected to the judgment of the new coach. There will be changes in all departments even if fewer than last summer.
The attack will lose Giroud and probably Jovic, the midfield could see Bennacer depart and then Thiaw, Tomori and Kalulu are all potential exits in defence.
I think Tomori is leaving, mostly because he’s not getting called up by the England squad.
I can see that. But if it happens, we should apply “The English Tax” on him and demand a minimum of 70Mil. 🤣
I’m really not sold on Zirkzee, especially if Motta went to Juve. Some players perform well for certain coaches, and might struggle with others. IMHO, only get him if he comes with Motta. Beside that, I don’t think he’ll cost 40M, probably closer to 50-60M-ish.
Would be interesting to see who wears that #9 next season..
Agree 100000000%
Guirassy’s name hasn’t been mentioned in a minute but he is currently 2nd Top Scorer in Bundesliga after Kane.
Guirassy is injury prone
Always reinforcing the team with mediocre players. The money Milan refuses to spend on quality players is the one they’re spending every season in their effort to find solution for those departments.
Guirassy is injury prone