How AC Milan’s Deadline Day unfolded: All the links and an exit that collapsed

By Oliver Fisher -

After weeks of speculation and seemingly hundreds of targets linked, at the end of today AC Milan’s squad will be locked in for the rest of the 2021-22 season.

The January transfer window closes at 19:00 CET tonight, and we at SempreMilan will guide you through the final few hours of the winter mercato. It may be a quiet one or there could yet be some late movement, so sit back, relax and take it all in.


20:35 CET – Recap time

The January transfer window has come to an end and despite many links, AC Milan don’t have much to show for it on the incoming front. In fact, the Rossoneri only made one signing.

Milan made more moves on the outgoing front than the incoming one, with some fringe players leaving and Milos Kerkez moving to the Netherlands.


20:15 CET – Di Marzio’s claims

Gianluca Di Marzio has made the bold claim that AC Milan are set for a busy and important summer transfer window after a quiet January mercato, with a number of key roles to address and Elliott Management willing to stump up the cash.


20:00 CET – WINDOW CLOSED!

That’s it everyone, the show is over, and boy was it a quiet one.


18:43 CET – From Ireland to Italy

After a lot of back and forth and some nervous moments, Cathal Heffernan has finally sealed a dream move to AC Milan from Cork City. Read about his story here, including the role of Stephen Ireland, the resurrecting of the deal and Heffernan’s Olympian family.


18:10 CET – Women make a signing

AC Milan have officially announced the signing of midfielder Celeste Boureille, who has joined until the end of the season. Read all about it here.


17:46 CET – Deal OFF!

Despite Sampdoria’s attempts to get a loan deal for Samu Castillejo over the line on deadline day, the player has rejected the idea of joining them as per the latest reports from Di Marzio.


17:00 CET – The directors are back


16:15 CET – Late move for Samu?

Maybe Samu Castillejo could be on the move after all, with Sampdoria back in talks…


16:04 CET – Waiting for Milan

Newcastle United launched another big offer for Lille defender Sven Botman but the player said no to the move because he wants to postpone a decision until the future knowing that Milan are interested. Read the latest here.


15:40 CET – Red Bull gives you wins

AC Milan remain interested in Red Bull Salzburg star Brenden Aaronson but face competition from Leeds United so a summer transfer battle could be on the cards, according to a report.


14:58 CET – Isak the man?

Another report has emerged stating that the Rossoneri are already considering options to replace Ibrahimovic in case he does go. The first name on the list is Ibra’s countryman Alexander Isak who plays for Real Sociedad and has already shown a lot of promise.


14:25 CET – Another striker link

Milan are hanging on in the race to sign Gianluca Scamacca as they look for the centre-forward of the future to take the baton from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Read the latest here.


14:00 CET – Kessie in demand

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie is an alternative for Real Madrid if they do not manage to get Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco, a report claims.


13:36 CET – Centre-forward needs

Milan are planning for the summer transfer window and they know that a new striker will most likely be needed. However, it depends on several different factors including making the top four and a potential double signing from Lille. Read more here.


12:42 CET – No to Ndombele

Spurs midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has ended up securing a return to Olympique Lyonnais but AC Milan were offered the chance to sign him as part of a deal for Franck Kessie, but they said no. Read the full story.


12:28 CET – Sewing the summer seeds

The Milan management adopted a clear strategy during the January transfer window, opting instead to lay the foundations for a more expansive summer mercato, a report claims.


12:05 CET – Remember him?

The exit of Jens Petter Hauge to Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer transfer window divided opinion, but some might have forgotten he is technically a loanee. The latest on his future.


11:40 CET – Sanches saga

Milan tried hard to bring Renato Sanches to the club in June but unfortunately their late attempt to sign him was not successful for a variety of reasons. The background, including how things look ahead of the summer.


11:23 CET – Samu stays

Samu Castillejo will remain with the Rossoneri until the summer unless there are some real surprises before today’s 19:00 CET deadline, because the deal that was in the pipeline with Valencia has collapsed. Read more.


11:02 CET – Another renewal imminent

the renewal of Matteo Gabbia will be announced in the coming days as the 22-year-old will extend his contract until 2026. All the details here.


10:46 CET – Summer striker swoop

Milan have an eye on who could be their centre-forward for the future when Zlatan Ibrahimovic calls it a day, and two names stand out above all. Read more here.


10:30 CET – Double signing lined up?

Milan tried to set up two negotiations with Lille in the January window and did not get them over the line, but a report claims that the Rossoneri will pick up the phone again in the summer.


10:21 CET – Signing expected

Cork City defender Cathal Heffernan is closing to joining the Rossoneri. The Sun in Ireland reported earlier in the week that the Irish 17 captain is on his way to Milan, having previously had trials at Atalanta and Roma and more recently with Bayer Leverkusen, and the photo below suggests an announcement is imminent.


10:15 CET – Last ditch attempt fails

Milan made an attempt to sign Renato Sanches from Lille yesterday in a €25m deal, but there was not enough time for the deal to go through because of the player’s wage demands, as per Di Marzio. Read more here.


10:00 CET – Recap so far

In a statement on their official website, the Rossoneri confirmed last week that Marko Lazectic has signed a contract with the club which will run until 30 June 2026. He joins with little first team experience under his belt, but he is very highly rated by those in his own country and will no doubt be eager to arrive and repay the faith of the management.

In terms of outgoings, Andrea Conti left for Sampdoria, while fellow full-back Milos Kerkez decided to join AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, and Alessandro Plizzari headed for Lecce on loan.


EXCLUSIVE: Red Star insider reveals all on Marko Lazetic – “He has it all”

Tags AC Milan

3 Comments

  1. After this transfer window looks like the top 3 places are reserved for Juventus, Inter & Atalanta. While if Milan are lucky they will fight only with Napoli for the 4th place. Hopefully no other team will join the fight for 4th place. Not only that Milan can’t buy players but they can’t sell one either.

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