The attack has once again become a big problem for AC Milan, and at present nobody is a certainty around which to build.
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As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Massimiliano Allegri built Milan on a solid defence and effective counter-attacking play. From this, one of the obvious problems – and certainly not a new one – is the attack itself.
It is a department that has been without peace due to injuries, condition issues and form inconsistencies. Looking at the five forwards in the squad, there is no name that will 100% be here next season, either.
Five names, five doubts
Niclas Füllkrug arrived in the winter window and his winning goal against Lecce was hoped to be the start of a profitable half-season. Two months later, he has made 13 appearances, only one of which was as a starter, with only one goal.
He’s widely admired for his fighting spirit, but the numbers certainly aren’t on his side. He arrived on loan from West Ham with an option to buy for around €5m. At the moment, it’s more of a no than a yes in terms of staying.
Santiago Gimenez’s season meanwhile has been a horror movie. First came the enormous difficulties in front of goal, then the long lay-off caused by inflammation in his right ankle, which forced him to undergo surgery in mid-December.
Now the Mexican has returned to training with the team and awaits his first call-up from Allegri after four and a half months spent watching. The goal is to finish the season well, giving Milan an extra edge and a springboard for himself towards the World Cup on home soil. However, the club will listen to offers.
Rafael Leao seemed like one of the key pillars from which to build next season, when – barring a collapse – Milan will return to the Champions League. However, the match against Lazio has upended the narrative and the scenarios because the Portuguese’s attitude was not well received by the club.
The fact that Allegri seems intent on sticking with the 3-5-2 formation next year doesn’t help Leao. A summer departure isn’t considered likely at this point, but it’s not a remote chance. Obviously, given Milan’s financial situation, they are likely to ask for €80m or more.
Christopher Nkunku’s numbers clash with the heavy label of being the most expensive signing of the summer transfer window. The Frenchman had a very positive period between December and January, then he returned to lacklustre form, and Allegri has given him much less playing time.
The same applies as it does to Gimenez: he’s far from unsellable for the club, even if the likelihood of him staying seems higher than his departure at the moment. A lot will depend on the offers that come in.
Finally, Christian Pulisic’s situation has been a strange one. He was the top scorer at the turn of the year but hasn’t netted in 2026, all amid the backdrop of a contract renewal that’s struggling to take off. Discussions have been ongoing for several months, and at one point it seemed like a deal was close.
Then everything stalled. Pulisic’s contract expires in 2027, so it’s a matter that needs to be addressed and somehow resolved by the start of the summer, ideally before the World Cup. He has had some physical issues, the consequences of which are still being felt. Allegri hopes he finds his shooting boots again.