AC Milan want to sign a new striker during the January transfer window and there are a few reasons why they are more and more convinced by Serhou Guirassy, a report claims.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recalls that Guirassy played for Amiens, Rennes and Stuttgart between 2019 and 2023. He almost always hit double figures in league goals, but never got more than 13. In other words, that has always been his value.
Instead, at 27, he has already scored 16 times in four months and at this rate he would exceed 30 for the season, having had a red hot start with VfB Stuttgart. The first question that scouts and sports directors ask themselves is the same: is he a ‘one-season wonder’? At €17m, you probably take the risk.
How does Guirassy play? And compared to Giroud, is he a potential partner or an alternative? Stuttgart’s No.9 is a true striker, a physical player who makes his presence felt and varies his movements, because he covers a lot of ground.
He waits a little for the ball, he looks for it a bit, and he certainly knows how to go into spaces. Technically he is far from the best in the position and far from Giroud, but the Frenchman has never been quick and perhaps doesn’t have the stamina for a full 90 minutes, so they could be complimentary.
Sebastian Hoeness, Guirassy’s coach at Stuttgart, said of his rise: “Why did Serhou start scoring? He has developed great self-confidence, now he scores in very difficult situations.”
Guirassy is a natural right-footed player who knows how to use his left foot, he runs in a gangly way and scores goals in the area. In the Bundesliga he has scored 16 times with less than 12 expected goals, a sign that he scores more than the opportunities would suggest.
If you watch the videos of his seasonal highlights, you will see that he scored in different ways, from the area, from outside, with diving headers and three times from the penalty spot. If you don’t have time and you only want the best, take a look at the brace at Darmstadt, because it has everything: a strong shot from outside the box and a lovely lob over the onrushing goalkeeper.
If Guirassy arrived at Milan, he would be the No.9 for the next few years. It is no mystery that the club is looking for a starting striker for 2024-25, knowing that from July Giroud will be 38 and it could perhaps be the last season of his career.
Giroud and Guirassy on paper would be alternatives, rather than attacking partners. Two centre-forwards, different in style but not obvious candidates to co-exist, especially considering that Milan – until the market proves otherwise – start with two wingers in Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic who are doing well.
January provides one more variable: the African Cup of Nations. Guirassy was born in Arles and played for the French youth national teams but in 2022 he chose Guinea, the country of his parents, and they qualified for the tournament.
If everything goes as it should, from the beginning of January he will be in Ivory Coast for the group stage phase. It is not good news for those who want to sign him because of the physical stress, risk of injury and general absence.
There is good news: Guinea are in a group with Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia, so there is a good chance that on January 23 – at the end of the group – Guirassy has a seat booked on a flight to Europe. But will it be Milan?
