The centre-forward that AC Milan sign will be the headline purchase of the summer mercato, but a report has claimed that they are also working on other departments too.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) confirms that there is tug-of-war between the Milan management and Joshua Zirkzee’s agent continues over the €15m commission requests, but talks are ongoing.
Milan have Artem Dovbyk of Girona on stand-by as an alternative option but they cannot wait forever, especially because there strong interest from Atletico Madrid (the Ukrainian also has a €40m release clause).
As well as on the Zirkzee affair, work is also being done to find reinforcements in the other departments. In the middle of the pitch, for example, a physical midfielder is wanted to be put in front of the defense.
in recent weeks the name of Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana has often been mentioned , but in the last few hours a new idea has emerged: Mats Wieffer of Feyenoord, who is a bit younger and is arguably a more natural No.6.
To strengthen the defensive department, Milan are looking for a right-back. The chances of Matty Cash arriving are decreasing due to the high demands from Aston Villa (€35m), while Emerson Royal of Tottenham and Tiago Santos of Lille remain standing as options.
My prediction:
Zirkzee, Tiago Santos, Kiwior, Fofana, Wieffer
Bennacer will leave to Saudi,
Pobega, Colombo, Saelemakers will all be sold
bold prediction but i like it. Not sure Kiwior comes and Bennie leaves. Maldini i think will be sold too.
My prediction:
In: Dovbyk/Kukaku (40M), Emerson Royal (20M), Wieffer (30M plus Simic), Fofana (25M, only if Bennacer is sold), Hummels.
Total spend without Fofana = 90M
Total spend with Fofana = 115M
Out: Maldini (6M), Salad (8M), Colombo (4M), Simic (in part exchange for Wieffer), Bennacer (30M, only if Fofana arrives), CDK (24M)
Basically the Fofana/Bennacer movements are dependent on each other.
Transfer funds available before sales = 50M
Total income without Bennacer sale = 42M
Total income with Bennacer sale = 72M
Total funds available without Bennacer sale = 92M (thus we can afford the total spend without Fofana)
Total funds available with Bennacer sale = 122M
(thus we can afford the total spend with Fofana)
And clearly you can see that one of our major “upgrades” will have to be via free transfer to make it all work. So either the new CB or new DM will have to arrive on a free (or the third option is not to by a new RB at all). This is why the Hummels idea is making a lot of sense. Can’t think of any DMs that would be useful and are out of contract. Of course, a player such as Kiwior, might arrive on loan and option/obligation to buy in 2025, which would also change the math, since his fee won’t count towards this season.
Origi?
Tiago santos , Wieffer. and the union berlin defender seems more like possible add up and it will make lot of sense giving the total age group and energy they will need all through the campaign. i see a more healthy team with this irrespective of the striker. one thing is guaranteed whoever strike for milan will hit double figures.
pulisic is hot
rei wants to show he his the new snejder for dutch
Leao want to improve his stock with Portugal
Theo and maigan looking for redemption
RLC, Tomori, Thaiw patiently getting healthy with the holiday. Chuku redeveloping himself.
Jovic & Okafor a point to prove.
musah learning a few tricks on copa
this look like a sound young team in paper. let’s now wait and see how the additions add up and see who make it back healthy then we know if we can challenge for a throphy next season.
forza milan , Forza Fonseca
Very good point there
Wieffer is a good call for the 6.
To be honest, no matter if we end up with Zirkzee/Royale/Fofana or Dovbyk/Santos/Wieffer Im happy as it strengthens key areas in the squad. If we fail to land either of those two solutions for those three positions I will be very disappointed. Those packages are within the summer budget.
Then Buongiorno would be a big boost to get as well. Selling Colombo/Maldini (12-15 mil total maybe?) and using the cash from them (and CDK) + Pobega or Saelesmaekers to land Buongiorno would be a huge quality improvement to the squad.
Imagine getting Zirkzee/Royale/Fofana/Buongiorno without losing any key players and get rid of unwanted players like Saelesmaekers/CDK/Maldini/Colombo/Ballo-Toure/Origi/Vazquez? Huge quality boost to the squad.
Also a reason why I think they need to ship of Florenzi (almos 3 mil net per year) and put his wage bill on the two frenchmen to keep em happy.
We also have Kjaer, Caldara, Giroud and Mirante that already have said goodbey and freed up more wages (close to 8 mil net for all four).
Yep, both Florenzi and Origi represent huge wages for minimal return. Florenzi is ok for the locker room, but if we bring in someone like Hummels, it will balance it out.
Salemaekers should be tried as RB instead of wasting money on Emerson. He started as RB when we signed him from Anderlecht. Weifer, Zirkzee and Scalvini would be my pick. we lack the Italian heritage these days.