CM: Milan begin ‘objective deputy Giroud’ – Balogun, Ekitike and other names considered

AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli has stressed the need for a new centre-forward to give Olivier Giroud some help, and a number of names are being explored.

Calciomercato.com write that Pioli stressed to Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada that he needs another centre-forward in addition to a midfielder and a right winger, because another season with Olivier Giroud working overtime is not feasible.

It seems that it will not be Alvaro Morata because his salary and release clause are too high, while Gianluca Scamacca has made it clear he wants to join Roma and in any case West Ham United would need to open to a loan deal.

Therefore, Milan is evaluating other profiles such as Mehdi Taremi of Porto, but he is a non-EU player would therefore exclude Samuel Chukwueze who is the first choice target for the right wing, plus he costs €20m.

Emanuel Emegha of Sturm Graz and Noah Okafor of Red Bull Salzburg remain on the list as options as does Hugo Ekitike of PSG, with the trio seen as exciting options for the future.

Another name is back in fashion though: Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun. He had a positive loan experience at Stade de Reims in which he scored 22 goals, but the Gunners want €40m to sell him as a result.