AC Milan are expected to make some changes to their defensive department in view of next season, and a new target has emerged.
While waiting for the arrival of a new sporting director, today’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) has the following headline as they look ahead to a big summer transfer window: ‘Okoli moves forward for the defence’.
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The Rossoneri’s latest idea to strengthen the rearguard is Caleb Okoli, who seems ready to leave Leicester after their relegation to the Championship. In addition to the Rossoneri, Bologna have also set their sights on him.
His agent Alessandro Barison recently spoke to TMW about the rumours, stating: “We say ‘when the bells ring, it means that church is near’. If these rumours about Milan and Bologna are circulating, it means that there is some truth to them…”
Other defensive targets
But Milan are not only targeting Okoli. In fact, the directors also have Diego Coppola of Hellas Verona and Cristhian Mosquera of Valencia on their radar as potential additions in view of next season.
One of the three defenders mentioned could arrive at Milanello in the summer to take the place of either Malick Thiaw or Fikayo Tomori, who remain sought after abroad and do not seem unsellable in the face of good offers.
More specifically, the German is liked by Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, while the Englishman could have a market in the Premier League after being linked with Spurs during the winter.
It must also be mentioned that Milan have been linked with Okoli before, nearly three years ago when Paolo Maldini was still the technical director. Back then the centre-back was owned by Atalanta, and could return to Italy after an experience abroad.
40M sale of Thiaw would get us both. Thiaw is still 50-50 on how he will develop and if German clubs are willing to pay us that much and if we want to keep our actual stars, then his sale is worth it.
Although, Comuzzo and either of these guys would have been a better choice.
nobody will buy Thiaw for 40M…. best is probably 30…
tomori 25-30…
I rather keep Thiaw and Sell Tomori…
we can always go to chelseamart for a replacement
With the three man defence I will rather keep tomori and thiaw
Buying a fringe Italian defender from a club that just got relegated. These clowns and their ambitions.
Has there been anything or any decisions this management takes that you appreciate?
You were definitely among the fans clamouring for Italian players, what else do you want?
Perhaps you want RedBird to sell the club out?
To who?
Maybe to you.
You seem to follow my commentary on here so you probably know the answer. And reasons which I state probably on a daily basis. So the answer is no. No I don’t.
And yes. To Arabs.
My father in law is a Leicester fan so I’ve seen Okoli play maybe 5-6 times, although I don’t think I’ve seen him play 90 mins once (or maybe once). Yes, sometimes great players get relegated in poor teams, but I’ve seen nothing in him that suggests he can play for a top team.
Coppola I like a lot, though.
Personally I would make everything; s possible to bring Giovanni Leoni from Parma. He’s the next big thing in italian defenders heritage. Sell Thiaw and Tomori and bring Leoni from Parma, Comuzzo from Fiorentina and Coppola from Verona.
Comuzzo, Pavlovic, Gabbia, Coppola and Leoni will be perfect. We can play with 2 or 3 central defenders easily.
Yes, because of three defenders who are all around 20 and in a critical phase of their career, two will have no problem sitting on the bench. 🙄
Decide on ONE of Commuzzo, Coppola or Leoni, perhaps the one what would compliment Gabbia the most if we’re using a 4 man backline next season or the one who can play RCB the best in a 3 man defense if we’re using a 3 man defense next season, and that’s that. Comuzzo alone is worth near 40M already anyway. We’re not going to spend all of our transfer budget on center backs. We have a huge hole in midfield, and also need depth at LB and the wings, and could very well need a ready RB as well.
If we are to stick with 3 back line tomori should remain in the team
I agree with that. Cos I think he’s played well in the three back
So keep him if we’re still going with the same three back next season
Perhaps our management are slow learners.
Chopping and changing players is unhelpful.
They need to focus on priorities, as we don’t have much of a budget.
That means number 1 a midfielder perhaps 2
A back up for Theo if he stays
A winger who can alternate with Leao/Pulisic
Leave the defence alone.
Last year we lost Kalulu and Simic who would really suit 343 and are doing very well.
We need to build not tear down
Instead of them buy jay idzes please from venezia
Hope Milan recruit Coppola/ Scalvini and Luka Vuskovic