AC Milan’s determination to take the top four race down to the wire is impacting their plans to sign targets like Leon Goretzka.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
Milan are having a difficult few weeks, and Sunday’s defeat in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo has only further exacerbated a general mood that hasn’t been great around Milanello for some time. Six points are needed (at most) in the final three games to secure a top four spot.
If the collapse continues and the Rossoneri fall out, there will be a big knock-on effect. A club like Milan can’t afford to miss the Champions League for a second season in a row. History dictates they must play on Europe’s most important stage.
Then it’s a matter of planning, because the Champions League significantly alters what the Rossoneri could do to build a squad suited to Massimiliano Allegri’s needs.
Goretzka waits
This morning, Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) discussed precisely this concept, using Leon Goretzka as an example. There’s no point in hiding it: the Bayern Munich midfielder is the object of Allegri’s desire but qualification for the Champions League is a prerequisite for the final push.
Europe’s top club competition is attractive and appealing to potential signings, especially if they have played in it almost every year of their career. Goretzka has numerous offers, and Milan are a desirable destination to him, but less so if they are not in the UCL.
So, the Diavolo are not only playing to finish this season on a high note and to secure the potential €100m in revenues, but also to have the best chance to build a team that can hold its own next year and kick on.
A midfield featuring Goretzka, Adrien Rabiot and hopefully Luka Modric is enticing. To achieve this, they’ll need to do their job in the final three games of this season, to begin next season on the best possible footing.