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Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci’s arrivals kicked off AC Milan’s summer, but now there is the feeling that things are stuck.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the novelty of those two signings has worn off and the fans are impatient. When will there be news on the striker? Aren’t they closing the deal with Club Brugge for Jashari? After the Archie Brown affair, isn’t it time to bring in at least one new full-back?
The situation needs to be seen in the bigger picture, trying to understand Milan’s mercato strategy in recent weeks. In mid-July, we’re at a standstill and meetings are needed to define priorities and strategies.
Clearly Milan won’t be able to sign a striker for €50m, Jashari for €35m, two full-backs for €20m and perhaps add a centre-back. It will depend on a few variables, but the basic principles can be clarified.
The budget
The key statement was made at the end of June by Giorgio Furlani, the club’s CEO responsible for financial management: “All financial resources are invested with the goal of creating sporting performances: within this there are limits, parameters. If you spend too much on the right, you won’t make it to the left.”
Failure to qualify for the Champions League has generated a loss of approximately €80m, which will be largely offset by the transfer market. Tijjani Reijnders will likely bring in €65 (although the fixed fee, without bonuses, is expected to be under €60m).
Theo Hernandez was sold for €25m. Boca paid around €4m for Pellegrino. Juve exercised the €14.3m option for Kalulu. In short, Milan still have a respectable budget but is looking for five starters on the market: two full-backs, a centre-back, a midfielder, and a striker.
Transfer priorities
So, what are Milan’s priorities? Ardon Jashari is one: Milan offered €32.5m plus bonuses for him. The other big priority is the centre-forward, so much so that the club has discussed whether it wouldn’t be appropriate to allocate the €30-35m earmarked for Jashari to that dossier as well.
In short, would it make sense to stick with the current midfielders, including Musah, and invest in the No.9? Every fan has their own answer; the problem is that forwards are expensive, and not cheaply. It’s difficult to find a guaranteed solution even by spending €30-€40m, as Santiago Gimenez demonstrates.
However, Darwin Nuñez proves that Milan can’t afford to reach their top options: the Uruguayan costs €50-€60m and would reasonably expect a salary of €5.5-€6m per season without the Growth Decree. That’s very challenging.
The other significant issue concerns the full-backs which have not been the priority The initial plan was to spend €10m, €15m, or a maximum of €20m for each of the two full-backs, but this transfer window, as is clear, is complex.
The €18m offer for Guéla Doué was politely rejected and the Archie Brown situation, who cost less than €10m, was poorly handled. The names now are Marc Pubill, Pervis Estupinan and Nathaniel Brown.
The situation will inevitably change. Milan will depart for their tour on Saturday, and at the moment it’s almost impossible for them to announce a signing before their flight east. The transfer window will follow, at the end of July and especially in August, with a couple of variables to consider.
Sales could bring in new money. In this regard, pay particular attention to Musah and Thiaw: given their age and characteristics, they are the easiest to sell. Easy prediction: in a month, when AC Milan plays Bari, we’ll know more, but not everything.
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