There are a number of players who have a couple of months to show the AC Milan management that they deserve trusting beyond the end of the season.
La Gazzetta dello Sport go through the players in question starting with Ante Rebic, who hit double figures in goals in both 2019-20 and 2020-21 but last season managed just three and this season he is stuck on the same tally.
He has battled physical problems and has struggled to get starts with Rafael Leao ahead of him, which forced reflections on the €3.5m net per season he earns. Barring a decisive trend reversal in the last two months, Rebic will be up for sale and given he cost just €5m, there is no real risk of making a loss.
Next is Junior Messias, who was strongly desired by Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, arriving from Crotone in summer 2021 and being bought permanently last summer, but this could be last few weeks with the Rossoneri.
There has been the desire to improve the right side for the long time as seen by the repeated links with Hakim Ziyech and Nicolo Zaniolo. Alexis Saelemaekers meanwhile is seen as younger and more tactically suited, despite the fact the Brazilian has 5 goals and 2 assists this season.
Aster Vranckx has been used for just 154 minutes across all competitions this season with only one start to his name, despite the fact Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer have often needed a breather.
The Belgian has alternated good games with others that were not as impressive, yet what filters from Milan is that they will try to sign him permanent and get a discount on the €12m option to buy because they believe he will develop further.
Finally we come to Yacine Adli, who was bought in summer 2021 from Bordeaux but was left there on loan for a season, yet he has evidently not grown enough in the eyes of Pioli who only used him once as a starter and gave him a couple of hours on the pitch in all.
The trust Brahim Diaz has plus the €35m invested to sign Charles De Ketelaere have made things difficult. If the Spaniard were signed permanently, then a season on loan elsewhere could be on the cards for Adli, though it could happen regardless.
