Despite being right in the middle of a battle for the Scudetto, the Milan management are planning how the squad will look for next season.
Thanks to our colleagues over at SempreMilan.it, we have gained some insight into what the current thoughts of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are ahead of what will be a crucial summer mercato, as they all are.
Defence: One of the most sought-after winter signings was certainly a central defender and it will be the same in the summer. Pierre Kalulu is a valuable resource, but he is considered still too young to fully entrust him with a starting spot alongside Tomori.
Botman is in pole position to come in after the possible departure of Alessio Romagnoli, whose contract with the Rossoneri is expiring without an agreement found at the moment for a renewal. Botman would then join Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Kalulu and Matteo Gabbia.
The club seem inclined to buy Alessandro Florenzi outright from Roma for €4.5m, while Fode Ballo-Toure is also expected to leave in the summer as perhaps the only negative part of the last summer transfer market Maldini carried out.
Midfield: Franck Kessie seems more and more likely to leave with Barcelona on pole to sign the Ivorian and Renato Sanches the possible replacement, with pre-agreement already in place over personal terms.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is ready to pack his bags after a return to Milan that has not gone to plan, and Tommaso Pobega could well replace his but his situation must be carefully monitored, given he could be sold for a €15m capital gain.
Rade Krunic meanwhile loves playing at Milan and has tried to demonstrate it with determination and personality in every moment in which he has been involved, and therefore he could well stay.
Yacine Adli is ready to join the group of creative midfielders as he was signed from Bordeaux last summer and was loaned back to the French club for a year.
Attack: The intention is to keep him Junior Messias at Milanello, but asking Crotone for a discount in the process, while Samu Castillejo meanwhile is expected to finally say goodbye.
Olivier Giroud currently has a contract until June 2023, so he is untouchable. Ante Rebic and Rafael Leao are the possible alternatives in the event of a total emergency.
The future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a puzzle as the Swede, for his part, would sign with Milan for another ten years, but in agreement with the management of a final decision will be taken with only at the end of the 2021-22 season based on his physical condition.
Marko Lazetic is the future of the club but he still has to grow, which is why the Andrea Belotti hypothesis is becoming an increasing possibility.
