After making a decision to leave Victor Boniface, AC Milan will now turn to other options in the mercato.
There are several names that have been suggested this summer, and Milan have failed to really make much movement for any of them. Thus far, Boniface is the closest that the Rossoneri have come to recruiting a new number nine, but it was not to be.
Instead, the club have opted to leave it, with Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director effectively ruling out any negotiations. So, another direction will have to be found. This is why Massimiliano Allegri and Igli Tare met at Casa Milan.
The situation
Conrad Harder was one of the big focuses of said meeting, and his agent was actually present at Casa Milan this afternoon. However, Dusan Vlahovic is also a rising name of interest, which is understandable.
Matteo Moretto spoke on Fabrizio Romano’s YouTube channel this afternoon to discuss the situation, and MilanNews have relayed his words.
“All eyes are on Victor Boniface. At this moment, negotiations between Leverkusen and Milan have collapsed. Milan have decided not to proceed with the signing of Victor Boniface, so much so that today the Nigerian striker returned to Germany.
“On Saturday, after carefully analysing the results of the medical tests, Milan decided to stop the negotiations. They did not have the necessary guarantees for the continuity of Boniface’s performance, on Boniface’s knees.
“In the long run, this deal is considered risky for Milan. Milan had doubts about the reliability and integrity of the player’s knees and decided to stop. His physical condition was not convincing. Milan has decided to give the player the green light to return to Germany, and, in parallel, Milan is keeping other options alive.
“Plan A at this moment, the player with whom Milan has had the most contact and for whom they are negotiating both with Sporting and with the player’s entourage is Harder, a Danish striker with a class of 2005.
“It’s a name that AC Milan is negotiating; there have also been direct contacts between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the player. AC Milan is negotiating directly with all parties involved to advance the deal.
“In recent days, Harder has been approached by other clubs, including Rennes and other English clubs, but the striker hasn’t signed. He’s decided to put all negotiations on hold while waiting for AC Milan, and is now in talks with the Rossoneri about a possible transfer in these final days of the transfer window.
“Harder might not be the only reinforcement up front. Milan are working on several options. Always keep an eye on Massimiliano Allegri’s interest.
“There is a significant gap in terms of salary for Vlahovic; he is a complicated name due to cost issues: not so much for the transfer fee, given that Milan could find a solution with Juventus. Perhaps even by inserting a counterpart.
“There are solutions; there is a dialogue between the clubs. The real obstacle is Vlahovic’s salary. Vlahovic earns more than 10 million euros a season, and Milan will have to understand if the player is willing to make a sacrifice to wear the Rossoneri shirt.
“I always keep these names on Milan’s list. Let’s start with Rasmus Hojlund. It’s true that Napoli are very close to the Dane, Napoli are in advanced negotiations, well underway for Hojlund: a loan transfer with an option to buy that could become a mandatory one.
“Keep an eye on Milan if they decide to change strategy by going for Hojlund, changing the conditions with United and going all-in on the player. We’ll see, there are evaluations underway: the news is that Napoli are ahead and want to try to close the deal in the next few hours.
“In addition to Hojlund, Vlahovic, and Harder, there’s Embolo and Arokodare, two names that are always good in these final days of the transfer window.”
I thought I had some understanding of what these guys were trying to accomplish, but I don’t have any idea where Harder fits. Granted I’ve only watched an eight minute highlight reel, but this guy isn’t a striker. At least, not a back to goal target guy which is what these guys have said they’re looking for. He plays more like a winger, and heavily weighted to the left side of the field. I’m very confused. But then again, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by that with this club.
I don’t understand the direction they’re going at. Harder isn’t even a starter on Porto and milan need a ready made striker now. At this point I’ll take vlahovic because of his serie a experience and at least he guarantees 10 goals a season
Mateta is a good alternative. I’d try for him at least. Completely different to Santi.
He doesn’t want to leave from what I’ve read. Half of PL wanted him. I doubt Milan is his dream to change his opinion.
This is absolutely embarrassing, I know maybe it’s a risk to take Boniface, but at least he has proven what he could do, I’d argue this nobody with 5 goals in the Portuguese league which cannot even compare to serie is a way bigger risk. As we saw yesterday, I don’t think Giminez is good enough, but Hard is an even worse option.
I’ve been saying Mateta the whole time, I have a feeling based on his profile, he would destroy Serie A.
Vlahovic Is the only one who will provide goals out of this lot.
Harder? Never heard of him. That Hojland deal that no one in this forum wants is probably looking pretty good right now huh?
Almost 30M for a 20 yr old kid who only scored 5 goals in 28 games IN PORTUGAL???? Hahahahahaha! What a fkn 🤡 show.
At least Hojlund played in Serie A before lol. This is who we expect to lead the line? A 20 year old kid who can’t score more than 5 goals in Portuguese league?? How fkn LOST are we. I’d rather gamble 5M with Boniface than settle with this kid as our #9. Crazy.
Stop this BS and just sign Vlahovic even if Juve doesn’t cover part of his salary or he doesn’t take a pay cut. It’s one year high salary which sucks BUT this is what you get when you WAIT till the last few days of the transfer window and try to find bargain player for discounts. You get young kids (Harder), players with injury concerns (Boniface) or over-valued players (Vlahovic).
WE created this mess because we WAITED. So many players were available but we thought we would be clever like usual and wait for a bargain. Well guess what, it backfired yet again. We have such an aversion to spend money on a proven striker it’s disturbing. Makes zero sense.
Did they forget we finished 8th last season?? 😂😂😂