Stefano Pioli was forced to field the same starting eleven in many consecutive games last season due to the lack of depth in the squad. As a result, the backups from this past season are all expected to leave.
AC Milan have entered a new era with the sacking of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, giving more faith to Pioli and Chief Scout Geoffrey Moncada. And this summer, they want to get the signings right to ensure proper squad depth.
The depth was Milan’s main issue last season and as reported by today’s edition of Gazzetta Dello Sport (see photo below), Milan could say goodbye to as many as 13 players this summer.
Starting at the back, Ciprian Tataursanu and Antonio Mirante are both out of contract at the end of the month and are set to leave. Marco Sportiello has been brought in as the new second-choice goalkeeper, while a youngster could take the third spot.
It won’t be Devis Vasquez, though, who was signed in January but now will leave to free up a non-EU spot. Sergino Dest, who was an emergency signing on loan, will not be redeemed by the Rossoneri. Fode Ballo-Toure is also up for sale and he could return to France, while Mattia Caldara’s contract likely will be terminated.
In the midfield, Aster Vranckx will return to Wolfsburg after not impressing enough and Tiemoue Bakayoko has been let go too. Yacine Adli could also leave. He will either leave on loan or permanently, but for the latter to happen an offer of €10m would have to arrive.
Charles De Ketelaere is also on the list of departures but Milan need an offer of €28m to avoid a capital loss, hoping that a club from the Premier League will step forward. Brahim Diaz, of course, has already officially left the club.
Up front, Ante Rebic and Divock Origi are expected to leave and could both move to Turkey, where they have suitors.
