A report has claimed that AC Milan might not pursue a replacement for Rafael Leao if he were to be sold in the final week.
According to the latest from Footmercato, the Leao situation has ‘gradually become more complicated’ since the winger declared his desire to leave in May. The former Sporting and Lille star remains under contract until 2028, but his future remains uncertain.
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The Portuguese player still hopes for a move to the Premier League, his preferred destination, while Jorge Mendes is working hard to find him a solution. For the moment, however, concrete offers have not met Milan’s expectations.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe made progress on the matter but have not managed to convince the Rossoneri to budge. Milan must thus also contend with the reality that he might end up remaining beyond September 1, even if Aston Villa have been linked in the past 24 hours.
Leao’s replacement found?
Since the arrival of Ruben Amorim, Leão no longer seems as indispensable as he once was. The Portuguese coach now has an unexpected alternative that could completely change the game: Alphadjo Cissé, who made a big impact on the first day of Serie A.
After getting the start against Torino, the teenager scored his first professional goal for Milan and, crucially, delivered a bright performance in an area of the pitch long occupied by Leão. His performance quickly sparked the discussion that the Rossoneri didn’t suffer without Rafa.
Cissé obviously does not yet have the experience or the status of Leão, but his explosion comes at the worst time for the Portuguese and at the best time for Amorim, who ‘may have found an internal solution’ capable of meeting his tactical requirements without his club needing to spend a single euro.
Framing it as “replacing Leao” is silly. Leao doesn’t have a role in Amorim’s system because he was deemed surplus to requirements before Amorim was appointed. The role in question is the trequartista behind the striker of which Amorim’s system requires 2 players. The players for those roles are currently Pulisic, Rabiot, Cisse, RLC, and Salad. Even Moreira or Chukwueze could play there if needed. Given Cisse’s emergence, it would seem that adding additional reinforcements at centerback and striker would be more pressing needs.
100%! I would even add a DM to that list.
Agree with all that.
If we say Rabiot is an AM, then our main CMs are Modric, Jashari, Musah and Ricci. Rabiot as cover and Comotto to gain experience.
So for those 4 C(D)M+AM roles I think we have enough players. Yes, if an opportunity arises for a fantastic left-footer at a good price, then by all means, but we shouldn’t be desperate there IMO. If Pulisic has fitness issues then we run with RLC, Rabiot, Saelemaekers and Cisse.
CF position is a weird one. At some point we need to back Camarda and making him no2 there is a sign of that. But he’s very untested and I understand why maybe we’d want more depth – if Ramos gets injured then we’re up the creek… but also we’d be looking for someone to come in as third choice. Not the most attractive offer.
CB we have frozen out Tomori, but to me this is where we need the depth the most; if Gila does go down for a prolonged period then we’re down to 3 senior players there and then a lot of youth. IMO we need one more, either starter or depth. But then should we be loaning out Diawara for experience and having Bartesaghi as the sixth choice?
I’m rambling, but basically signing a CB is important to me, the other positions only if there’s a specific opportunity to improve. CF if we can find the right profile.
But we don’t need to replace Leao; if we can make a sale that should go towards the purchases we’ve already made.
put it anyway you want. get a good price from the Premier League.
Report and 19 year old Cisse are going to represent Ac Milan attack this season
I am comfortable with our current attacking mids. Considering Rabiot and Cisse both looked good and Pulisic can play on either side, and Saelemackaers and RLC are decent reserve options. If Moreira is indeed a RWB in competition with Chuk, and Saelemaekers is truly an attacking mid. The only hole I would have is LWB. Where I know Estupian is not good enough, and I ultimately feel Bartesaghi is destined to play CB.
If only Liberali listened to Milan’s call to come back, it’s just one more defender this team would have needed to complete it. And I think his growth path would have been smoother with Amorim because he would have played prominently in the other number 10 role.
But the deed is already done. We wish him the best at como
id love it if we got jens petter hauge back for another attacking option. transfermarket have him at 12 million.. still loves milan.
and get patrick berg for extra dm position. also is valued at 12 million.
both at bodo lol.
berg was brilliant in the world cup. got similar style to modric. total workhorse. both of them work their asses off.
not saying we’d get them for 24 million but even combined 40/50 mil is doable if we sell leao and ricci?
also bonus with hauge and berg is theyve got plenty of european experience and were lacking some vikings
all fantasy but both would fit i reckon.
still need a CB and ST to complete the mercato too.