AC Milan are planning to invest heavily in a new striker, and they are also looking for the centre-back of the future too.
As confirmed by Igli Tare and as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) this morning, Milan are looking for a penalty box man with different characteristics than Santiago Gimenez. Even if it means spending a significant sum, like the one needed to snatch Mateo Retegui from Atalanta.
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The Goddess values the top scorer of the last Serie A at about €50m or more. The Rossoneri will try to lower the figure even if they know full well that traditionally from Bergamo there are no discounts. Not only that, but there is interest from Saudi Arabia too.
Moves for the attack
Milan do not want to increase the number of players in the squad in a season in which there will be no European cups. That said, with Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic officially departing and Francesco Camarda on the verge of a loan to Lecce, another striker is needed numerically anyway.
The window is only just beginning and two starting full-backs need to be found, in particular the replacement for Theo Hernandez for whom Al-Hilal will close after the end of the adventure at the Club World Cup. For the centre forward it is obvious that a substantial investment will be needed.
Massimiliano Allegri will evaluate Gimenez, but it is clear that the request to raise the level of competition in the squad comes from the coach, and Retegui would definitely raise it. He is considered a prototype close in characteristics to Olivier Giroud, even if they have a different CV.
Then it is clear that there is an agreement to be found with Atalanta, a club with which in the past an agreement has already been found (then renegotiated with mutual satisfaction) for the transfer of Charles De Ketelaere to the Nerazzurri.
The same thing can happen in this transfer window with the Italy striker who cost them €22m (plus bonuses) a year ago and who has more than doubled his value for Pagliuca and Percassi’s club since then.
Milan, who have had him in their sights since he wore the Genoa shirt, value him a little less, around €40m. The distance is there and now there is also the priority of sorting out the defence. With two starting full-backs and not only them…
Advancing for Leoni
In fact, Milan are not giving up on Leoni either and, in fact, to try to get ahead of Inter, they have intensified their contacts with Parma. Also in this case an exit is necessary, which in the minds of the Rossoneri managers should be Malick Thiaw to Como.
The German has returned to evaluate the possibility of moving to the Lake, to the court of Fabregas, but has not yet said yes, and it is not certain that he will do so. If he does, though, the Rossoneri will be ready to strike.
Mattia Liberali could enter the deal with Parma for Leoni, who has a contract expiring in 2026, after a season spent between the Primavera and Milan Futuro. Tare has put him on the table as a possible counterpart, together with Colombo.
The Emilia-based club are slowly evaluating the proposal: they are interested in fuelling an all-Milanese auction for their talent who, among other things, they want to keep for another season. Unless the valuation touches or exceeds €30m.
Two strikers why not
We should have signed J David. Surely not a Giroud-like, but he offers something different from Gimenez. From 2-3 years ago we’re always being linked with him every summer. And when we had the chance to sign him for free, we did nothing.
Just like Guirassy’s case where we chased him all winter long (2023/2024), but when we could sign him for only 18 mil, we did nothing.
Mr Smart, David asked salary of 6.5 million NET and his agent asked 15 million gross. There is absolutely zero chance Milan will agree for that fee.
As for Guirassy, Milan could not get ahead of Dortmund for his signature. Player preferred Dortmund over Milan (which turned out to be better decision for himself)
Transfer market is not as easy as you think
6,5 NET + another 1,5 NET in easily achievable bonuses.
You missed the most important detail €15 million for the agent.
Free agent is never a fully free these days. The point is that we can get the player way below his market value. We have ‘free’ salary budget from Tammy (4.5 mil net) and Jovic (2.5 mil net). That alone can cover David’s. Add that Morata’s paycheck for another 4.5 mil net. And Origi, we can have another extra budget of 4 mil net.
We have the salary budget, and that only calculating solely from the outgoing attackers. Whether we’re willing to break the cap or not is another story.
Relax buddy,
Why ranting over a player who only scored 10 goals from open play last season?
Take out his penalty goals and he leaves little to be heads over heels for.
Lucca scored 11 goals from open play, playing as a target man, that is the striker we should be going after, and that is of course if we can’t get Osimhen.
I don see a serious reason for a striker, although I understand the point of Allegri wanting another striker of a different style from Gimenez.
The point is we are only playing league games and copa Italia this season. Except for the risk of injury, another top striker can wait until next season upon qualifying for champions league.
Anyways, let’s see what happens in defence because we are completely empty in the flanks.
We desperately need another striker. We have only 3 strikers in the team: Gimenez, Origi and Colombo. If Gimenez gets injuried or flops, then we are literally left withouth a striker, as Origi and Colombo are a joke. However, I believe that we should have either renew Jovic or bring Tammy permanently (he is going to Turkey for 20 mil) as a temporary measure for this season and not invest big in a striker. But now it is how it is …
Leoni and Retegui would be two perfect signings. Quality players and italian. Really hope they can get them done so we can focus on two full backs.
If Jashari deal gets done midfield feels complete as well (Modric, Ricci, Jashari, R-L-C, Fofana, Bondo).
Can’t rely on Bondo or RLC. One is young the other one injury prone. Need more guarantees.
Att David går till Juventus ökar chansen för Vhlaovic till oss
40m on Retegui is so dumb, I wish I could say I was shocked but I’m not any more
Never sign any Atalanta players
Is your twin brother ever going to make an appearance here? Would love to hear what Lord of Love has to say…
And where’s the money coming from? Selling Musah and Thiaw isn’t so straightforward.
What I find most interesting is that Atalanta is willing to sell even at 50M. A couple of years back they sold a guy who only scored 9 goals for 65M. Retegui is capocannoniere and they’re in the Champions League. Perhaps the Atalanta project has reached its limit? Their choice of Juric as coach is also perplexing. But all of this is good news for us next season. Atalanta seems to be stalling, Inter hired Chivu (which I think will be a big mistake), Roma is sorting itself out under a new coach, Lazio is under transfer ban. If our transfer market works out the way it seems it will work out, I think we have a great chance at finishing top 4, and perhaps even mounting a title challenge. That said, I think it will be one of those years where the winner is basically crowned by February, and that will be Napoli, with Juventus probably 2nd.
45-50M for Retegui????? LOL. Like we are gonna spend that kind of money on ANY player??? Ya right.
Surely this is a joke. PASS. First, He is NOT worth that much at all, not even close. 25-30M at best. Second, He’s not a classic #9 Due to his size and playing style that Allegri wants anyways, so I doubt this ever happens and certainly not at the price being thrown around.
Leoni at 30M is getting a bit crazy as well. His value is 18M currently. He’s 18 and only has 17 professional games started? Not saying he wont be good BUT 30M for an 18 yr old RIGHT NOW with OUR BUDGET is risky. We need proven players to get back to UCL and not just players for potential resale value. I hope this one works out but anything over 25M is an overpay as it stands. I get he’s Italian so the price goes up a bit, but we shouldn’t go over for this KID.
Especially if the 35mil for Jashari goes through…. I don’t see it.
Lucca in a few years time will be worth €70m range player, now is our only chance to get him.
get Leoni even if we sacrifice Liberali (put bbc if it’s possible), Parma always be good for youngster development & good transfer partner to us,
get Retegui while he’s available in normal price or even better get Osimhen,
sell other below par players then use anything left on budget go all-out to get Barella (forget Jashari, his club has been an as5hole 4 too long to us) push merda to consider it cz we all know they r in trouble w/ ffp
Barella will never accept to come to AC Milan, he is a die hard inter fan even as a kid. Get Ardon Jashari or rovella from Lazio n we are good in the middle.
Where’s this Barella talk stemming from? Haven’t read any such news about any transfer pertaining him.
First off, Inter will never sell him to us. Plus, if Reijnders worth €70m and is considered cheap, them Barella should definitely cost nothing less than €100m.
If Milan has 80M to spend? Keep Thiaw, forget Leoni and Retegui and spend 70m on Osimhen.
👆✅💯
I think Lucca fits what we need… And he is Italian as well, maybe he will play with his heart