CM: Fonseca’s interest and a promise to keep – why question marks surround Milan talent

Lorenzo Torriani is a name that AC Milan fans have gotten to know over the past 18 months, and there is a plan in place for his future.

According to Calciomercato.com, a chance might have presented itself to Torriani after Mike Maignan’s injury which should keep him out of at least the next two games against Udinese and Lecce (in the Coppa Italia).

Last year, the academy graduate made one appearance in the Champions League, one in the Coppa Italia and six appearances with Milan Futuro in Serie C. At the end of the season, he also signed a new contract with the Rossoneri until 2030.

It was a significant sign of confidence in a player who just two years ago was the Primavera’s third-choice goalkeeper behind Raveyre and Bartoccioni, having only made a few appearances for the team then coached by Federico Guidi.

A convincing development plan was presented to the player’s entourage, as the outright deputy to Maignan. This promising prospect, however, was called into question a few weeks later with the arrival of Pietro Terracciano from Fiorentina.

Photo by AC Milan

Lyon’s attempt and the future

Milan’s transfer market shakeup last summer also affected their goalkeepers: Raveyre was sold permanently to Pau in the French second division for €300,000, while Lapo Nava joined Cremonese on a free transfer (with a 50% resale clause).

Torriani has also been at the centre of several transfer rumours. The most concrete involved Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon, the coach that launched the goalkeeper on a tour of the US in the summer of 2024. The Rossoneri rejected the French club’s advances though because they believe in him.

So what does the future hold? The chances of seeing Torriani start against Udinese are slim, if not none. Allegri should field Terracciano, who came on and did well against Bologna in place of the injured Maignan.

The question then arises: when will Torriani’s time come? All signs point to Tuesday, September 23, when AC Milan will play Lecce at the San Siro in the Coppa Italia. Meanwhile, Milan decided not to release Torriani for the Italy squad for the U20 World Cup, a sign of imminent use perhaps.

The next few months will be decisive in determining how much Milan are actually invested in Torriani. Maignan’s contract is expiring and will almost certainly leave the club at the end of the season, and Lorenzo is one of the candidates to take over, but external replacements are being eyed too.