GdS: Krunic ‘mentally abandoned Milan a few weeks ago’ – replacement could arrive

AC Milan are looking to offload Rade Krunic in January because he seems to have given up on the idea of continuing his career with the club, according to a report.

Heading into the current season, Krunic was quite literally at the centre of head coach Stefano Pioli’s plans. He had switched to a 4-3-3, blocking the potential sale of the Bosnian because he saw him as the ideal man to anchor the midfield.

Krunic was not even named in the Milan squad for Tuesday night’s Coppa Italia victory against Cagliari at San Siro. The official reason from the club was ‘back problems’ but he had barely featured prior to that, all while there are exit rumours swirling.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) offered an overview of the January picture for Milan including the three signings that are expected.

They do not currently expect a new central midfielder to arrive, but write that Krunic ‘is only virtually in the squad because he mentally abandoned Milan a few weeks ago’.

They describe it as a ‘surprising choice for a player considered – until December – to be a great professional’. If an opportunity arises to replace him then a replacement could well arrive.