Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suggested to AC Milan that they try to sign Bosnian wonderkid Kerim Alajbegovic, a report claims.
Having secured a new striker – which was Milan’s top priority in the summer transfer window – the new management remain hard at work on other incomings. Gonçalo Ramos will join from PSG in a club-record deal, but they need more reinforcements and have other positions to fill.
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Ibrahimovic wants Alajbegovic
According to Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews), the likely departure of Rafael Leao means the Rossoneri are looking for a someone who can play in the two behind the striker, something that is a hallmark of Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
One name that has piqued interest is Alajbegovic, an 18-year-old who played for Red Bull Salzburg this season but who will officially join Bayer Leverkusen on July 1st. The Bundesliga club loaned him to Austria but retained a buy-back, and he scored a beauty for Bosnia at the World Cup.
Now Aljabegovic has a sponsor at Milan too, one who has an important influence on the decisions: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede, who is in the United States commentating on the World Cup for Fox Sports, had some very positive words for the young winger after his goal against Qatar.
“The finish was beautiful, yes. The technique was perfect, yes. But what struck me was his confidence before the goal. The way he asked for the ball, the way he sensed the moment. Great players don’t wait for chances. They create them,” he said.
“Everyone talks about the goal, but for me, the goal isn’t the greatest thing. The most surprising thing is his courage. An eighteen-year-old at the World Cup, under pressure, with millions of people watching him, plays as if he owned the stadium. That’s rare.
“Many young players have talent. Talent is everywhere. But talent without personality is useless. When I watched Kerim, I didn’t see a young player hoping to have a good game. I saw a player who believed he was the best on the pitch.
“People will say this is the start of his career. Maybe. But if he maintains this mentality, this goal will be remembered as the moment football realized who Kerim Alajbegović is. The World Cup is where stars are born. Today, a new one has emerged.”
The paper claims that the Swede has effectively ‘advised AC Milan to try and sign him’. Will the executives listen? Amorim, it seems, will have the final say.
This time I agree with him. That’s certainly a very important quality. Whether this boy will continue to shine or not, time will tell
Problem is too many clubs after him. Unless we can break another transfer fee record.
Who cares about djubrahimovic’s wishes? When did he become our coach, did I miss something?
You ask who cares about Zlatan’s opinion, yet you somehow think everyone should care about yours. The difference is that one has built a legendary career at the highest level, is involved with Milan, and has earned the club’s trust. The other keeps posting the same tactical fantasy under every transfer story. If Milan values Zlatan’s opinion over your daily Football Manager essays, there’s probably a good reason for that.
No, I don’t think that at all, that is your assumption. That would be a good thing and a wise thing to do but I’m not forcing anyone and I’m not so sure that zlatan is willing to give up so easily. Anyway, that’s totally beside the point, iznogoud shouldn’t impose like that and repeat the mistake he (has/had) made with Fonseca two years ago, let Ruben “cook” now and let him work freely as long and as much as possible, after all, it’s his job, he took that responsibility, he’ll be the one to blame if things go wrong. Enough with the hiding!
This! Agreed!
*have I missed
This boy is super star
Alajbegovic has shone at this world cup and will be in high demand, which means Salzburg will be able to ask for a big sum for him. After all this money we are giving PSG, i really don’t know how Ibrahimovic will explain to Gerry Cardinale to reach deep into his pockets again!
Doesn’t matter about budget, if Cardinoil approves it.
Salzburg is easy to deal with alajbegovic belong to Borussia dortmund which isn’t easy to deal with
Alajbegovic or not, Milan desperately need an upgrade on their wingers if Amorim is to get off the ground with his plans.