While Inter move rapidly towards getting a second star ahead of their rivals, the AC Milan management are planning their summer moves to try and respond instantly as they did in 2021-22.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes how Milan are focusing on securing a spot in next season’s Champions League and trying to win the Europa League, but thoughts inevitably drift towards next season.
The Rossoneri are reflecting on the future: the gap with Inter needs to be filled and in the summer it will be necessary to intervene with three or four quality reinforcements to bring Milan back to being a Scudetto contender.
The hunt for a 9
Firstly, they must sign a new striker because in the summer it is likely that Olivier Giroud or Luka Jovic (if not both) will say goodbye, and a new younger profile is needed to lead the line for the future.
In recent years, Milan have taken the safe route by relying on low-cost investments like Mario Mandzukic and Divock Origi – who both arrived on free transfers – but now the plan will change because the next striker will be under 25.
Two names above all stand out Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian from RB Leipzig has been followed for some time and, along the way, has gained positions over other old favourites such as Jonathan David.
The Dutchman of Bologna, however, is more convincing: he knows Serie A, he has become a leader for the Rossoblù and has the technical means to move in all areas of the attack.
Many have their eyes on him – from the Premier League to Bayern Munich, who boast a buy-back clause of €40m – but Zirkzee would look favourably on a move within Italy, before the big leap to England. At 22 years old, there is time to grow.
Bologna are likely to start with an asking price of €40m, but the feeling is that that figure is destined to rise. Instead, that amount could be enough to get to Sesko.
Holes in the defence
The big gap between Milan and the second star, however, is not really down to the problems in attack, but the limitations of the defence. The Rossoneri have conceded 32 goals, which is 20 more than those conceded by Inter and one more than those conceded by Milan in the entire Scudetto season.
A central defender will thus be the second priority of the summer window. After Sven Botman did not arrive last summer an investment in a new centre-back has been postponed several times but in June it will no longer be possible to wait.
In the front row there is Maxence Lacroix of Wolfsburg and Lilian Brassier of Brest. For the former, Milan tested the waters, on the second they negotiated with the French club in January. Both will expire in a year and this could allow the Rossoneri to obtain a discount on the price.
In the background, the free transfer option of Tosin Adarabioyo remains, who in June will be at the end of his contract with Fulham.
Other areas to strengthen
The midfield is full of options but must be completed with the purchase of a more physical player than those in the squad, someone who can act as a shield for the defence.
Then there is the left wing, where a deputy to Theo Hernandez is missing even after the signing of Filippo Terracciano who can play in that role.
The overall expense will be significant: more or less around €100m.
