GdS: ‘The new striker is Leao’ – Allegri forced to adapt without desired addition

The arrival of a new centre-forward was a certainty at the start of the window, but now everything is back up in the air again.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, the summer has been particularly volatile. At present, Massimiliano Allegri is seeking stability with the new 3-5-2 system, in which Rafael Leao is the striker and Christian Pulisic a second striker.

Both are interchangeable with the new arrival Christopher Nkunku, and player who has the speed of Leao and the quality of Pulisic, if he can stay fit. Santiago Gimenez looks set to remain as well, so there is another option up front.

Gimenez scored (it would be overturned for offside) against Lecce, celebrating in front of the Milan fans. It didn’t seem like a player wanting to leave and indeed, despite a timid offer, he won’t be going anywhere. It could have been Roma, but only if the Giallorossi got a loan with an option to buy.

Milan said no: therefore, no swap deal for Artem Dovbyk, the central striker who best fits Allegri’s footballing ideas. Igli Tare attempted to separate the two deals, asking for Dovbyk regardless, but Roma rejected the offer.

Will they hold out? If the transfer market is unpredictable, the outcome could be even more so. Other attacking options? Difficult.