AC Milan are working on the renewal of Rafael Leao but even if he does extend his deal the arrival of Noah Okafor would not be excluded, a report claims.
Calciomercato.com report that the situation linked to Leao’s renewal is a delicate one that means the management do not want to be caught unprepared, which is why they are looking for a possible replacement, should the situation worsen.
The name atop the wish list of the Rossoneri management is that of Noah Okafor who scored against Milan for Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League earlier this season. However, the Swiss international is also attracting the interest of Liverpool and Manchester City after his good start to the season.
Milan have been working on the idea for some time and could try to sign him with or without Leao’s renewal because the pair could co-exist. Okafor is a left winger but he can also play as a striker having been up front eight times in 14 Austrian Bundesliga games this season, scoring 7 goals and providing one assist.
In short, the 22-year-old is a complete forward who can play all along the attacking trident. He has versatility as well as speed, the ability to beat his man with the dribble and the ruthless edge to hurt opponents in the open field.
Okafor’s characteristics marry perfectly with Pioli’s ideas therefore, especially considering that Leao has often played close to the striker this season to make him more dangerous, so the duo could form a duo that would be difficult for all Serie A defences to stop on the counter-attack, a solution that could also favour the inclusion of Charles De Ketelaere.
With two quick forwards like Leao and Okafor, the Belgian could do what he does best: operate in the space left and feed his attacking team-mates.
Seems people keep forgetting that we desperately need a RW
We also still desperately need a CAM, which is our biggest problem up front. You put a good CAM up there and even our RW with Messias, Saelemaekers will look good. We need a player who can create for others. Behind Giroud all we have are selfish players, who don’t look to pass, in Diaz, Messias and Leao
Did you read he can play all three positions? Also looking like we’ll need a LW soon.
Ppl forgetting Milan needs a real tactician not a clown too
You forgot that Milan won the scudetto with Pioli with an average team. And even Max Allegri won the scudetto over a decade ago with a team that would have won it even without a coach.
And let’s be real… Who is the coach that could turn THIS Milan into Champions League winners – or even finalists? There is no such magician. Better get proper players so Pioli doesn’t have to choose e.g. over Messias & Saelemaekers.
For the ppl here posting about a RW:
1) Milan plays with a DEFENSIVE RW. It’s actually more like a RM. The LW Leao moves up as a forward and Theo move into midfield when Milan is attacking.
2) Milan will not buy a RW this summer. Perhaps in the offseason they can unload Salad or Junior Mint.
Even if they do unload a RW, Milan is NOT GOING TO SIGN a power RW, because they need one who can handle defensive capabilities. That’s why Rebic only plays RW when absolutely necessary. That’s why Florenzi and Dest were tried at RW. Remember, Salad is also a converted RB as well. They need someone fast who can fly up and down the wing and run back for defense.
The other option is to change formation.
How can you ppl follow Milan and have no idea what their roles are on the field. This isn’t checkers people.
“How can you ppl follow Milan and have no idea what their roles are on the field.”
LOL. So basically Milan should only attack from left side? 🙂
One of the reasons why Milan’s right side is more defensive is that they don’t have a attacking threat there. If Milan had a good & efficient RW don’t you think they would use him? It doesn’t make sense to build a team that only attacks from the left and right side is covering up for the other side. 😛
Now we are making sense