AC Milan are expected to focus on more Italian players in the summer transfer window, with some names emerging.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Gennaro Gattuso did not call up a single Milan player during the recent international break as Italy were beaten by Bosnia in the play-offs, ensuring that they will not partake in a third straight World Cup.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Meanwhile, Milan will play in Europe next season. Barring a late collapse, they will return to the Champions League too, which will require a larger squad than the current one, but there are some regulations to respect.
At least eight players in the European squad must have come through the academies of clubs in the same federation (Italy), and four of these must have been trained by that particular club. So, Milan might look to become a bit more Azzurri.
The Italian job
With Niclas Füllkrug set to return to West Ham and Santiago Gimenez’s future still undecided, a new striker is needed. Massimiliano Allegri’s favourite is Moise Kean who he knows well from their time at Juventus. Despite his injury issues he is the No.1 name, but a discount on his €62m clause is needed.
Another player Allegri would like to have next season is Nicolò Zaniolo. The former Roma star will be bought by Udinese (who agreed a €10m option to buy with Galatasaray) and is one of the players who will soon return to wearing the Italy shirt. He could occupy the second striker role.
Particular attention should also be paid to young players who could return to base and remain key players. Christian Comotto could be very useful in terms of the squad list given that he is shining very brightly with Spezia Serie B. He has talent and personality, with Allegri liking what he has seen.
Former Primavera captain Kevin Zeroli could come back. After a difficult first half of the season at Monza, he has been reborn with his move to Juve Stabia. A decision on Francesco Camarda is pending as well, with a meeting planned to determine the best course of action.
Other potential transfer ideas for a more Italian Milan include Diego Coppola, a Brighton central defender currently on loan at Paris FC. Honest Ahanor of Atalanta is highly admired by the club’s management too, while €8m was spent to sign Alphadjo Cissè from Hellas Verona.
The only Italiana at Milan should be the ones se develop ourselves. Whoever we try to buy will be over-values for what they bring to the team.
It’s all very debatable. I’m on the camp of – let’s get the best players we can. If they are Italian, then amazing. if they arent…. well sorry, they arent up to Milan standards.
I do agree with Mickey, We have quite a few young, very promising italian players on our ranks, across various positions that we should instead focus on giving them an opportunity. Bartesaghi did it… why cant Zeroli, Camarda etc
Club Hg: Gabbia, Barte, Torriani, Zeroli/ Camarda
Nat Hg: Ricci, Winter, Terra, ..?
Leao, Bondo & Musah, we sign them @19, so they are Hg right?
The timing of this article is not helping. Italy just crashed out of the WC with a whimper. Other than Keane, Gila and Cambiaso, Tonali, Barella and Bastoni, the rest of the team are a quick, no thank you.