AC Milan will struggle to secure the signings of three Ligue 1 players they have been heavily linked with this summer, a journalist has claimed.
The Rossoneri are set to undergo another revolution this summer with Ralf Rangnick widely tipped to become the next manager of the club’s youth-oriented project, one championed by owners Elliott Management Corporation and CEO Ivan Gazidis.
Guillaume Maillard-Pacini – a Eurosport France journalist – spoke to MilanNews about a variety of topics, starting with the rumours regarding a potential return for Thiago Silva.
“The idea of his return is certainly romantic, but the Brazilian at the PSG earned 18 million gross and Milan will hardly be able to offer him such an important salary,” he said.
“If Rangnick should arrive, I think he is unlikely to say yes to the return of Thiago who is already a certain age. The player would be happy to return, he has always said that Milan has remained in his heart, but economically and sportingly I see too many obstacles for the return of the Brazilian to the Rossoneri.”
A player more in line with the club’s apparent philosophy in Tanguy Kouassi, another defender from PSG. The 18-year-old is apparently attracting interest from a number of clubs including Milan, but Maillard-Pacini believes the Rossoneri are behind in the race.
“He is a PSG youth player who has exploded this season. He has always been a central defender but now Tuchel has also tried him as a defensive midfielder. He is a very interesting player, he is young, he is good with his head, he has to improve at the level of concentration, but he is a young man with great qualities.
“From what sources close to PSG tell me I see his arrival at Milan difficult: his agent is very close to the Red Bull sporting universe and therefore I think he will hardly give priority to the Rossoneri From what they say, by the way, the player would like to stay at PSG, even if his agent pushes to make him change teams.”
Finally, the name of Memphis Depay is another player who continues to be linked with a move. The Lyon winger is apparently a player highly rated by Rangnick, and Calciomercato.com reported yesterday that Milan are in talks despite a €30m asking price.
“He has one year left on his contract and if he does not renew Lyon, they must sell this summer. He is 26 years old, he wants to play on the biggest stages and therefore he is seriously thinking about changing teams.
“Milan, unfortunately, will not play in the Champions League next year, therefore I don’t know if he would choose the Rossoneri. Depay is a great player, he is a leader, it would be perfect for Milan because he is a driver. Depay would be a great purchase, I could see him doing well with the Rossoneri, but without the Champions League I don’t think he will go to Milan.”