In previously January transfer windows, AC Milan have welcomed players who have bolstered the squad and added credibility to the project, but last month was a lot different.
Calciomercato.com reports how the Rossoneri have used the winter market in recent years to welcome the leadership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the experience of Simon Kjaer, the exuberance of Alexis Saelemaekers and a champion for the project like Fikayo Tomori. Last month, only Marko Lazetic arrived to replace Pietro Pellegri.
There were a lot of different links from Malick Thiaw of Schalke and Japhet Tanganga of Spurs, to Abdou Diallo of PSG and Eric Bailly of Manchester United, all of whom were alternatives to Sven Botman of Lille but were not considered worthy of a considerable investment, for various reasons.
This is a stance that is consistent with the principles of the ownership Elliott Management, as the American fund want to keep the club’s accounts in order after the sacrifices made in the past years, limiting the risk margin as much as possible.
However, this has created a feeling of unrest as rivals have strengthened considerably while Milan failed to add quality. Inter welcomes Robin Gosens and Felipe Caicedo to an already very competitive team while Juventus got Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria, plus Atalanta signing Jeremie Boga.
All while Milan lack a real alternative to Brahim Díaz, a right winger capable of bringing in a good number of goals and assists and no cover for Simon Kjaer. To sign the players they have in mind for the summer, it will be necessary to qualify for the next Champions League.
It is a target within reach, but Juve’s explosion on the market and Atalanta’s resilience – a determination that was totally lacking for Milan – could put everything in doubt.
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