AC Milan have got Michele Di Gregorio high on their list of targets if Mike Maignan were to leave, according to a journalist who covers Monza.
Calciomercato.com recently reported that Maignan’s renewal is a topic which is generating a lot of discussion both in the media and in the offices of Casa Milan. His current deal runs until 2026 so there is no absolute urgency, however they will need to make an effort.
It will take time and work because the parties are not close at present: Maignan aspires to a contract worth €8m net per season and in the background Bayern Munich are lurking alongside Chelsea.
In the event that discussions over an extension continue without much progress made, Milan might have to evaluate big offers that come in. In that event, replacements have already been mentioned such as Di Gregorio.
Radio Rossonera exclusively interviewed the director of Monza News, Stefano Peduzzi, to talk about the game tonight and who might be the protagonists.
It is two teams that seem to have secured their minimum objectives for the season – Champions League and survival. Where can one find some incentive?
“Monza saved themselves early, this was the seasonal objective. Palladino, however, was clear: the objective is to win the ‘Scudetto’, to finish first in the right side of the table.
“Monza has excellent values and can compete to reach the left side, as demonstrated against the Romans or against Torino. The hope is to improve on last season’s twelfth place.”
In the first leg it was a routine 3-0 win for Milan at San Siro, do you expect something different?
“We hope so. In the first leg, after two minutes, Monza were no longer in the game: Reijnders scored after just 90 second. Unfortunately, Milan is one of the few teams against which Monza has not yet scored points in this two-year period in Serie A, three defeats out of three.
“A bit of a bête noire, so much so that some fans say we shy away from Milan, also due to a speech of affection from Galliani. I honestly don’t believe this, I think Monza will play their match.
“It will be difficult, I think Milan have the second best squad in the league. I hope the match will be played like last year at the U-Power Stadium.”
We saw a particularly attacking Milan, capable of scoring two or three goals per game. However, Monza haven’t conceded much…
“I believe that more than the defensive phase, the return of Michele di Gregorio was mainly influential. Among other things: Di Gregorio is a priority target for Milan if he were to leave Maignan.
“Di Gregorio is highly respected by Milan management, he is one of the best goalkeepers in the championship. Furthermore, he is also a Milan fan, even though he went through the entire Inter youth system, so pay attention to this rumour.
“A phenomenal goalkeeper: Udinese-Monza could have ended 4-0 in the first half, when you have a goalkeeper like that combined with a good defence it’s clear that things are made easier.
“At the moment the blanket is a bit too short: I’m a bit worried, some fans are making noise because the show is important anyway.”
Monza’s other great talent is Andrea Colpani, aery interesting player who could fit well with Milan’s project…
“Colpani has had a very positive year, he is Monza’s top scorer. He has changed his role: before he played in front of the defence but for physical reasons he cannot play in the middle of the field.
“I don’t see him ready for a big club yet, he needs an intermediate step. He can be a Lazio, a Fiorentina or a Napoli, he needs another season at an important level.”
How have Lorenzo Colombo and Daniel Maldini been?
“We have to see if Colombo or Djuric will play in Monza-Milan. Colombo has disappointed, an attacker who only scores three goals is certainly rejected or sent back.
“He did not repeat the season seen in Lecce, so much so that he even ended up in the third tier for Palladino, behind Djuric and Mota. He played against Verona, he scored but he was offside. The feeling is that Djuric will play.
“What about Maldini? We were all surprised by his arrival at Monza, we already have four players in that area of the pitch. He only played seventeen minutes against Empoli but he is improving in training. Let’s expect him to be able to play against Milan, given that it is his game anyway.”
Hmmm… Yes, I guess Maignan can be the choosen one elected to finance our next market.
“Colombo has disappointed, an attacker who only scores three goals is certainly rejected or sent back”.
“He did not repeat the season seen in Lecce, so much so that he even ended up in the third tier for Palladino, behind Djuric and Mota.”
And some thought he should stay at Milan and be primary back up to Giroud. He isn’t even good enough to be a backup at Monza.