AC Milan will spend €100m to complete transfer for star

While Inter moves quickly to add a second star ahead of their rivals, AC Milan’s management is considering summer moves to try to respond as quickly as they did in 2021-22.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reports that Milan is concentrated on obtaining a Champions League spot and winning the Europa League, but thoughts eventually turn to next season.

The Rossoneri are thinking about the future: the gap with Inter must be closed, and Milan will need three or four quality recruits in the summer to reclaim their place as Scudetto contenders.

The hunt for a 9

Initially, a fresh striker is imperative due to the probable departure of Olivier Giroud or Luka Jovic, or possibly both, come summer. This calls for a younger, forward-thinking player to spearhead the team’s attack in the long term.

Historically, Milan has opted for cost-effective signings such as Mario Mandzukic and Divock Origi, who arrived on free transfers. However, there’s a shift in strategy now, with a focus on recruiting a striker under 25 years old.

Two standout contenders for this role are Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko. Zirkzee, hailing from RB Leipzig, has been under Milan’s radar for some time and has eclipsed other contenders like Jonathan David. On the other hand, Sesko, the Dutchman from Bologna, presents a compelling case: he’s familiar with Serie A, has emerged as a leader for Bologna, and possesses the technical prowess to operate effectively across the attacking zones.

Despite interest from various quarters, including the Premier League and Bayern Munich, who have a €40m buy-back clause, Zirkzee is open to a move within Italy before considering a bigger leap to England, given his age of 22, allowing ample room for development.

Bologna is expected to start negotiations with an asking price of €40m, but there’s a sense that this figure could escalate. Alternatively, Sesko might be attainable within that price range.

 

Holes in the defence

However, the significant gap between Milan and the runner-up isn’t primarily attributable to attacking issues but rather stems from defensive shortcomings. Milan has conceded 32 goals, a stark contrast to Inter’s defensive record, which is 20 goals fewer, and even exceeds Milan’s total goals conceded during their entire Scudetto-winning season.

Consequently, acquiring a central defender becomes the second priority for the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite the failed pursuit of Sven Botman last summer, the urgency to bolster the defense has been repeatedly delayed, but it’s no longer tenable to postpone the investment beyond June.

In the hunt for defensive reinforcements, Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg and Lilian Brassier from Brest are in contention. Milan has initiated discussions with Wolfsburg for Lacroix and negotiated with Brest regarding Brassier during January. Both players have contracts expiring within a year, potentially enabling Milan to secure them at a discounted rate.

Additionally, there’s the prospect of Tosin Adarabioyo, who will be available as a free transfer in June as his contract with Fulham expires, providing another avenue for defensive reinforcement.

Other areas to strengthen

The midfield is plenty of alternatives, but it has to be rounded out by adding a more robust player to the squad, someone who can act as a defensive shield.

Then there’s the left wing, where a backup to Theo Hernandez is missing, despite the signing of Filippo Terracciano, who can play in that position.

The total cost will be significant: approximately €100 million.