AC Milan are preparing for a summer transfer window where they will look to add the finishing pieces to a squad that has shown promising signs this season.
Antonio Vitiello writes in his latest for MilanNews that compared to last summer, when there were 10 signings, it will be a different kind of mercato because the belief is that ‘the foundations have been laid, the team is competitive but it is right to insert some pieces to improve it’.
The aim is to ‘spend on 2-3 high level signings’ with the following positions identified: a striker, a central midfielder and probably a central defender. Things could change if an irrefutable offer comes in for a star player, as the Sandro Tonali case showed.
The ‘absolute priority’ is to sign a new striker and it is ‘probable that the sums invested will be higher than in past markets, even around €50m, for the simple fact that a good striker does not cost little and Milan want to open an era with the striker who will arrive in the summer’.
The dream signing
He is ‘probably the management’s favourite player’ and Vitiello writes that while he might not be a 20+ goal scorer yet, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was hardly prolific in his time at Ajax, then he has improved over the years.
The Dutchman is also tempting Premier League clubs and his starting price will be €50-60m, because Bayern Munich will get a percentage of the capital gain and Bologna wants to raise as much as possible.
Milan plan to ‘add a couple of players as counterparts’, but are aware that the negotiation ‘will not be easy’ and that is why at least three other players are being monitored.
Other names
Benjamin Sesko is on the list. The 20-year-old Slovenian has already ‘attracted many European clubs’, and has a €50m clause. Milan are also interested in Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord, who is lethal inside the penalty area.
Also watch out for Lille’s Jonathan David too. The 24-year-old Canadian is perhaps the easiest to sign because his deal expires in June 2025 and the price is destined to drop. Relations with Lille are excellent, he has also been in Milan’s orbit in the past.
Big offers will come in for star players so Redbird are just throwing that caveat out there. Leao and Theo should be unsellable. That’s the statement I want to hear from Redbird! That then lets the rest of Europe know that we are serious and potential signing that we are building.
If we feel we need 2-3 top signings to complete the squad, why the need to accept a big offer for a star player? It’s just utter BS from Redbird. They will cash in. What’s the sense in losing Theo and signing 7 players in his place. Lose either Theo or Rafa and that partnership goes which is our world class weapon and can win us big games and titles.
Redbird do not have a football mentality.
Truth!
Maignan will be sold this year, doesn’t seem like there’s margin. Theo’s renewal hope also is getting dimmer.
The way I see it is that if the management was going to renew them, would have done so when the tax break was still valid, and I doubt we’ll sell them when they are in the last year of contract.
it’s likely that the money gained from Maignan will be invested to get a new GK + new DC and maybe new CM. I don’t expect any of the purchases to be over 30 mill. Different story if we sell also Theo.
Striker is a different story, probably has a separate budget (incl what we gain from loans) and will depend on who the next coach will be.
Also I agree with management despite the fact that I don’t want to lose the top players. We cannot currently compete in salaries with PL teams, PSG or Bayern, and players are entitled to want to play for those teams, have a chance to win CL and get higher salaries. Having an unhappy player would be worse…
you forgot Viktor Gyökeres
It’s not realistic hell cost like 80-100 mil
Spend money on De Zerbi, please.
He seems clueless defensively.. that’s the only problem I see with him
1,000,000%
The most important signing We will make for seasons to come.
Add a good Bomber and a Grinta CDM to de Zerbi, and We can truly challenge in Italia & Europa
18m Gurasy/ 30m David/ 40m Zee/ 50m Sesko/ 70m Gyokers,
i’ll go with Zee/ Gurasy, Maybe Pavlidis/ Gimenez with right price (max 30m)
Please be the case.
No distractions. No last minute bargains. Just plan and execute a focused transfer campaign and give the manager the maximum amount of time in pre-season.