CM: Milan plotting two moves to fill current gaps in Pioli’s squad

The AC Milan management and Stefano Pioli knew that it would be impossible to complete the squad over the summer, so there are already future operations planned to address key positions.

Calciomercato.com report that Pioli and the management are working with an ambitious owner who has structured the club to have many solutions and think big. After a second-placed finish in 2020-21, a Scudetto in 2021-22 and a Champions League semi-final last year, Pioli earned trust and a renewal.

Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara left at the end of last season but the new management – with Giorgio Furlani in the new role of CEO assisted by Geoffrey Moncada and Antonio D’Ottavio – accepted the requests of Pioli to improve the squad depth with players that match up to his style.

However, all parties had the belief that a single transfer window could not be sufficient to fill all the boxes and satisfy all the needs, such as signing a valid alternative to Theo Hernandez and a striker to alternate with Olivier Giroud.

Juan Miranda of Real Betis is the target for the deputy left-back role and he could arrive in January even if there is the chance to get him on a free next June. Lille’s Jonathan David is considered the present and the future for the striker role, meanwhile.

He will have a high asking price, but Milan is ready to play two aces. Firstly there is the excellent relations with the French club, also strengthened by the management of the Rafael Leao case and his compensation to Sporting CP, with the Rossoneri paying out of their own pocket and obtaining the cancellation of the resale clause.

Then there is state of health of the club accounts, certified by the approval of the latest financial statements. Of course, with the income deriving from a possible qualification for the Champions League round of 16, Moncada and Furlani would have greater room for manoeuvre to give a further boost to the Scudetto aims.