AC Milan are in need of multiple signings this summer and in key positions too, with some concrete targets starting to emerge.
The departure of Tijjani Reijnders means another midfield rebuild is needed, while a new starting left-back and right-back must be near the top of the agenda too. There is the desire for a centre-forward to pair with Santiago Gimenez, and other positions will be looked at as well.
Therefore, there is no time to waste for Igli Tare and co., who after focusing on sales must now bring some bodies in. La Gazzetta dello Sport have published a report which talks about some of the names linked.
It is headlined: ‘The Diavolo are getting a makeover. Leoni to raise the wall, Xhaka-Jashari in command. Right and left flank, central defence and above all the midfield to be renewed. The first two signings in 10 days’.
Guela Doue
The Strasbourg right-back, born in France but an Ivory Coast international, has been followed by Milan for some time. He grew up in the Rennes youth system, which sold him last summer and has grown further since then.
He is not like his more famous brother. Desiré, who lifted the Champions League with PSG, but he too is a regular starter and followed by several teams. His asking price is rising.
Vanderson
The competition is strong and even Barcelona are interested in him. The race for the Brazilian full-back is uphill and the 30 million valuation doesn’t help, but Vanderson’s talent is not up for discussion.
“It’s no coincidence that he is a regular for the Brazilian national team. Furlani closed the Fofana deal with Monaco a year ago, but there are no discounts to be expected. Certainly if there is the slightest margin to fit in, with Theo’s money in the safe, the Rossoneri will try.
Giovanni Leoni
The first name to strengthen the defence is Giovanni Leoni, Gattuso’s future Azzurri player. Parma took a treasure from Sampdoria last summer: he cost around €5m, he is worth at least five times as much.
This is because Inter, Juventus and Milan like him in addition to being followed by foreign teams. Furlani and Tare must sell a centre-back to make a move (Thiaw and Tomori are the main suspects), then they will attack Leoni, at the top of the notebook of desires.
Granit Xhaka
The Swiss can be the linchpin of the midfield, the man in front of the defence and the playmaker. He is the captain of his national team and has 137 appearances; he is the leader of the group at Bayer Leverkusen after having already played with Arsenal in the Premier League.
Milan like Xhaka for his temperament and experience. The Germans do not want to sell him and the Diavolo have made it clear that they are offering €10m (increasable). There is room because the player is tempted to come to Milan.
Ardon Jashari
Swiss like Xhaka, with whom he is a teammate in the national team, Jashari was voted best player in the Belgian league last season and for this reason he is highly valued by Brugge, but Milan are seriously trying.
The latest offer from the Rossoneri is for €27m plus €5m in bonuses, the Belgians at the moment do not want to go below €35m as a fixed base to reach €40m with bonuses. Dortmund, on the other hand, have withdrawn from the race.
Javi Guerra
Milan started with an offer of €16m plus €4m in bonuses for the Spaniard, while Valencia want €25m for themselves, to which they will add 30% (so another €6m) to be given to Villarreal. The Spain Under 21 midfielder has no intention of renewing his contract, which expires in 2027, and wants to leave.
Furlani and Tare are counting on this, but Valencia does not intend to sell him off cheaply. If Yunus Musah goes to Napoli or the Premier League, things could unlock.
I don’t think Vanderson or Leoni are very realistic and surely Guerra is a backup in case of Jashari being out of reach.
Xhaka would be a great signing.
Other than that they’re backing players who were developed by another team in another league. I’m not sure what that other team or league has that makes these players suited for this team and this league.
It’s pure guess work. Guess work which has mostly failed to work out. To everyone’s detriment
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Xhaka, leoni, Ricci would be great signings. Two young Italians. Have a midfield including modric and fofana. Not bad.
Has anyone looked into our Italian contingent to check that we’re still meeting the requirements? Outside of Leoni and Ricci there’s zero “Italianization” happening so far.
SAME STORIES DIFFERENT HEADLINES!