Over the past few years, the word ‘opportunity’ has been battered in at AC Milan, and this summer, it will be no different. That is not necessarily a bad thing, though.
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Since RedBird arrived on the scene at Milan, fans have become more familiar with the word ‘opportunity’ than they have done with success. However, it has been a difficult period to navigate, and the handover was never going to be simple.
The hand of cards they were dealt was immensely difficult, but now the Rossoneri are in the best place they have been financially in years. Yet, there is not going to be a return to the Berlusconi era, where the club spends without caution.
Gerry Cardinale admitted as much himself, and whilst this may be a frustration, it is about spending money smartly. In England, maybe things would be different, but the Diavolo cannot compete on the financial front, despite what history suggests.
So, opportunities will continue to be focused on, and whilst this may be the case for paid transfers, it will be a bigger case for the free agents.
The five of interest
At the risk of dragging the introduction out here more than what is necessary, this will be kept as short as possible. But, context is needed.
Already, Milan have been linked with a plethora of soon to be free agents, and as contracts aren’t signed, this will continue to be the case. Here, we will look at a few that have already been linked, and a few that haven’t.
Leon Goretzka
The first is really straightforward and it should not come as a surprise. Goretzka has been linked for months on end now, and it appears that the Diavolo are serious about their interest. Indeed, reports suggest that talks are ongoing.
He is, as reports put it, seen as the ‘perfect’ third part of the midfield for Massimiliano Allegri and he’d imaginably compliment Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot really well. If he were to arrive, it would be a massive bolster to the midfield.
If it was just a case of him being available, even if he wasn’t free, it’d be difficult to suggest that he would not be a good addition. The removal of the fee, then, is a substantial pulling factor.
Robert Lewandowski
It is difficult when it comes to strikers, but it appears that Mateo Retegui is the number option for Milan now. So, this plays a part. However, so does another Italian striker. If the Rossoneri went for Robert Lewandowski, they’d get a few years of goals from an admittedly aging, but still elite, striker.
He, imaginably, would be fine playing a lesser role in years to come, and this would also promote the growth of Francesco Camarda, if and when he returns to the club. If you signed Dusan Vlahovic, you may be forced into a few years of him, and there would not be any luxury of signing a proper striker this summer.
Camarda’s development, imaginably, would be stunted further, too. Whilst it is a nice idea to sign Vlahovic, the perks of signing the Polish star seem to be much better. Though, this is debatable, and it is a luxury argument to be having.
John Stones
Whilst he has struggled with injuries, adding Stones to the Milanese backline just makes sense. The Englishman would add some much needed experience to the back three, whilst also adding comfort to a strong trio.
Would he be a starter? Potentially not, but he needn’t be. He would have the quality to step in when required, and Allegri loves having an option with experience. At this stage in his career, he make seek a move away from England, and the Rossoneri could say hello with welcome arms.
Casemiro
This just feels like a given. In recent months, Casemiro has proved that he still has life left in him, and this could be another chance to keep Luka Modric. The Brazilian still has a few more years at the elite level left, and it would be a flexible signing for the midfield.
It can be argued that there is not a ‘true’ number 6 in the squad, so adding the former Real Madrid man would plug a hole, whilst allowing Modric to push higher.
In the future, there is no denying that the Diavolo will have a pretty strong midfield if they keep improving Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari and having another elite midfielder, who has won it all, would only benefit them.
Leonardo Spinazzola
The final suggestion is perhaps the one that we’d be most in favour of. In 2024, it seemed Milan were considering a move for Spinazzola, but no progress was made as he headed to Napoli. Now, the Rossoneri are not strangers to revisiting an idea.
Again, he probably wouldn’t be a starter. However, he would be a massive improvement on Pervis Estupinan, given he has played so frequently for Napoli this season.
It would reinforce Davide Bartesaghi as the number one option, whilst adding some cover on the right (admittedly, in desperate situations). At 33, he still has a bit to give and it seems silly not to consider him as a possible addition this summer.