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It is no secret that AC Milan will look to sign a striker in January, and it seems the favoured road is to Joshua Zirkzee.
In the summer of 2024, several names were put forward for Milan. However, none really got close to Zirkzee until he wasn’t an option anymore. Alvaro Morata arrived instead, and like the Dutchman at Manchester United, he failed to really deliver.
Now, 18 months on, the Red Devils are ready to consider an exit, and it seems there will be interest.
An exception
Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Rossoneri need a ‘different’ option, and there are a few different ideas on the table; those being Zirkzee, Mauro Icardi, Niclas Fullkrug and Mateo Pellegrino.
Allegri would like an old-school striker, an impact-maker, physical with deadliness in the penalty area. The exception to this rule would be Zirkzee, though, who is seen as a ‘genuine opportunity’ in January under the right conditions.
He would need to arrive on loan, which is possible for the Manchester-based outfit. However, the deal, for them, must include a buy clause of €35 million if the club qualifies for the Champions League.
A departure may only be sanctioned at the end of the mercato, thanks to AFCON. To summarise, he is a popular option, but Milan must overcome obstacles.
The alternatives
If not Zirkzee, then the Diavolo will turn to other options in the mercato. Fullkrug is the ‘easiest’ to achieve, and he would tick several boxes, especially in the financial department. He would be available on loan, without eyewatering fees attached.
He would ‘accept the bench without hesitation’, and this would allow Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic to continue together.
Elsewhere, the Argentinian duo are options. Pellegrino is more popular, but €30m would be needed – too much for someone as untested as him. With Icardi, his high salary and poor physical condition are off-putting. It may be a choice out of desperation if it is one at all.
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