Olivier Giroud will say farewell to the AC Milan fans at San Siro in just under a couple of weeks, and the management are now working on who will come in to replace him.
As MilanNews write, Giroud announced on Milan TV that he will play his last two games for the club before departing for America, meaning that his time at Milan will end after three seasons.
“I’m here to tell you that I will play my last two games at Milan. I will continue my career, but in MLS. I am very, very proud of everything that I have done in Milan in these three years,” he said.
“It’s the right time to say it. Sorry, I’m a little emotional. My story with Milan ends this year, but Milan will remain in my heart forever.”
After thanking Giroud for his service to the Rossoneri during that final game of the campaign against Salernitana, it will then be time to focus fully on his heir.
Zirkzee on pole
The number one target for the Rossoneri management has long been Joshua Zirkzee and remains him, even if the cost of the Dutchman is around €60m.
Claudio Fenucci, the CEO of Bologna, gave an interview to Sky in which he also spoke about the future of the former Bayern Munich man: “Joshua Zirkzee has a particular contract, he is also the arbiter of some decisions.”
One of these, certainly, will concern his future. Many clubs want him, but Milan want him more than anyone and that might be enough to convince the player.
Sesko and the clause clause
Also present on the list of targets is Benjamin Sesko, a 20-year-old currently playing for RB Leipzig who has scored 16 goals in total this season.
The Slovenian, who in recent years was seen as one of the most interesting talents around, has different characteristics from Zirkzee but has been watched by Milan since he was at Red Bull Salzburg.
According to Sky Germany, Sesko’s good performances in the second half of the season mean that the release clause has now risen to €65m and could rise even further.
We all know how this will go. It will drag on all Summer, then we’ll sign a washed up striker on loan on the last day.
We should try to get Sesko, but if it proves to be too expensive in the end, id be satisfied with someone ike Guirassy, or a younger player like Mikautadze
Would really love to see Mikautadze in red and black uniform. Has great potential and with good coach I think he can easily become a 20+ goals per season kind of forward.
Mikautadze is a name that hasn’t come up and is very interesting. I’ve only seen him play a couple of times and he scored in both games and was probably the best player on the pitch (against Lyon and Marseille, so no mugs either) even though I think (off memory) Metz lost both games.
In the end the new striker will be one between Guirassy, Gimenez, David and Broja. A good coach can get 20 goals a season in the Serie A from Leao. Pulisic too guarantees a decent number, so even a tap-in striker could do the work for Milan. Jovic too might be able to be decent next season. Who the coach will be matters a lot.
If I were to make a bet, I would say that Milan’s new striker will be Broja. He has been looked at by Milan for at least a year or two, and Milan have already bought players seen as redundant by Chelsea (Tomori, Pulisic, RLC). The media near Chelsea reported that Milan tried to get him on loan in January, but he had already agreed a move to Fulham.
If we’d have been able to bring him in in Jan, monitor his recovery and see sparks of his best form, then maybe, but he’s too big a risk now, even if Chelsea do have a flash sale this summer.
why not bought sesko from salzburg for 20mio? or Szoboszlai, Aaronson, Adeyemi, Daka, Keïta, Mané, Haidara, Camara, Schlager? or Zirkzee for 8,5mio like Bologna. Just guarantee playing time. a little hint guys…KONATE
Go get Locca from Udinese. On a better team, with better service that kid will score at least 15 goals.
Based on the figures that are floating around, Sesko and Zirkzee are way out of Milan’s price range.
Give Udinese Colombo and some cash.
I was to come say, I’m surprised we aren’t linked with him more.
Am I in minority when I think Okafor can be the starter? With Laeo, Pulisic and to a lesser extent RLC there is plenty of fire power on this team. Okafor has scored 6 goals in 800 minutes. If he gets 2000 minutes I think he can at least double that. Plus I love the idea of having a team that can sit back with a great defensive shell and then counter at speed with Laeo and Pulisic…I think Okafor would be good in this role as well. If 60 million euros are being spent. Give me a DM and a right back.
You are not, but nobody here care about you, unless me.
Guirassy, okafor, jovic, camarda
Pulisic,RLC,leao,chuk
Reindeers,adli,bennacer,musah,NEW DM
Calafiori, Buongiorno,Gabbia,Terracciano
Di Gregorio,Carnesecchi
Pretty decent to get scudetto?
So sell Maignan, Tomori and and Kalulu?
Yeah, they try to sell someone to egt fund. Player for player.
I think it will be belloti and pentagna as milan no 9 next season. They suit this milan.
Zirkzee is not same type of player as Giroud. He is more like okafor. It depends what the new coach and management want.
I was thinking last night, and I can’t seem to find a 100% definitive answer – is Terami to Inter a done deal?
If Conceicao comes in…