GdS: Ghosts, lack of goals and collapsed deals – Milan’s striker ‘curse’ still lingers

AC Milan were once again looking for a new starting striker in the winter window, and once again have been left questioning their luck.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall, once upon a time Milan won the Scudetto, thanks in part to their striker’s brace against Sassuolo on the final day. Olivier Giroud said goodbye to the Rossoneri in the summer of 2024, and the No.9 role has returned to being cursed.

The Frenchman has so far been the only player to escape this curse, which has endured at Milan since Pippo Inzaghi’s departure. Beyond the number, the job has been complicated for (almost) everyone, and another instalment was added on Monday.

Ghosts and failed deals

In 2022, the summer immediately following the Scudetto, the club decided that – given the age of Giroud and Ibrahimovic – another striker needed to be added. Divock Origi joined on a four-year contract worth approximately €4m net per year.

In the end he racked up two goals in 36 competitive matches. After an unsuccessful loan to Nottingham Forest, the Belgian practically disappeared. For over a year and a half, he remained on Milan’s payroll, without training or playing a single minute, before finally terminating his deal.

In 2023, Luka Jovic arrived at Milan, again on a free transfer, also inheriting the No.9 shirt. The Serbian striker scored 13 goals in 47 games which is not terrible, but last summer the management opted not to exercise the option that would have extended his contract. Jovic is now at AEK Athens.

In 2024, two strikers arrived at Milan: Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham. The former lasted just a few months, going on loan to Galatasaray during the winter transfer window and then to Como. The latter wasn’t bought permanently, going to Besiktas and then to Aston Villa in the winter.

AC Milan attempted to solve their striker problem a year ago, signing Santi Gimenez for €28.5m plus bonuses. The Mexican’s turbulent time in Italy is well known, even though he’s still at the club and should return in a month.

Milan know the striker issue hasn’t been resolved, as demonstrated not only by the recent pursuit of Mateta, but also by the Victor Boniface deal this summer. The Nigerian even landed in Milan, before medical tests showed issues that meant the Rossoneri walked away.

Boniface is considering retirement, plagued by a torn knee. Christopher Nkunku arrived at Milanello, not exactly a centre-forward, so much so that in January it was necessary to plug the gap with Niclas Füllkrug. Whether the German will be the last name on the list or Giroud’s heir is to be revealed.