AC Milan are out of the Europa League and now must focus on qualifying for the next Champions League, with the management studying the strategy for the summer transfer market.
The main objective of Pioli’s team is the consolidation of a place among the top four in the standings and qualification for the next competition they have been missing from since 2014. It is fundamental for the club’s ambitions and growth both economically and from a sporting point of view.
As Calciomercato.it writes, the first task on the agenda is to resolve the future of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu. Regarding the Turkish playmaker, the management are waiting for an answer with an offer of €4million plus bonuses on the table, while a big difference remains between the requests Raiola (€10m plus bonuses) and the offer (€8m including bonuses) in the Donnarumma case.
The Italy international has repeatedly shown a desire to stay at Milan, but it will still take several steps to get closer to the possible white smoke. Patience and diplomacy are needed, and in the meantime PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus are watching on.
The fate of Zlatan Ibrahimovic must also be figured out before next season, but the report claims there is a feeling that the parties mutually wish to extend the deal at least another season.
In the meantime, directors Maldini and Massara are still looking for a young striker to arrive and work under the Swede before taking the baton. Maldini’s favourite is Torino’s Andrea Belotti at the moment, and he could leave for €30m or less due to his difficult contract situation. Another profile that teases the Rossoneri management is Dusan Vlahovic, who is having a good season for Fiorentina, but would not be allowed to leave for much less than €40million.
Milan must discuss the future of captain Alessio Romagnoli with Raiola too, but Milan want to focus on Fikayo Tomori and are working to sign him permanently for around €30m. Another renewal being targeted is Franck Kessie, who ended up on the wish list of the big European clubs given his excellent season so far.
In terms of other potential targets, Mattias Svanberg of Bologna is an option for the moment as is Donny van de Beek of Manchester United, though the latter is ‘only a suggestion at the moment’. Meanwhile, Mauro Icardi has been linked but he has the backing of Pochettino at PSG.
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