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Andrea Longoni believes that AC Milan’s summer transfer window has left the squad incomplete, and that competing for the Scudetto seems unlikely.
Milan were among the most active sides during the mercato that has just closed, with over 30 operations completed in total when factoring in the players who joined and those who departed the club through various methods.
Given the lack of European football, the Rossoneri’s squad has also been significantly downsized. Despite this, there remains pressure on to try and fight for the Scudetto just as Napoli managed to do last season under similar circumstances.
A miracle needed
Longoni published his weekly column for MilanNews in which he assessed the business that Milan did during the mercato and where it leaves the squad, amid suggestions that the title should be the aim.
“Regardless of the narrative, Milan’s recently concluded transfer campaign has had a positive impact on the 2025/26 budget of approximately €76m. This is the key figure, according to Calcio e Finanza estimates,” he began.
“This doesn’t include the players released, who will almost certainly be bought by their new clubs. In short, a positive effect that makes the upper echelons of Via Aldo Rossi smile. Inter recorded a +35m, Juventus +33, and Napoli +22 million.
“In all of this, it’s worth noting that Milan has the fifth-highest wage bill in Serie A, even lower than Roma’s. The streamlining of the squad, so to speak, certainly affects the financials. But here too, the cuts were excessive : the available players, 22 including goalkeepers, are too few, considering the possibility of injuries and suspensions.
“Has the club done its best, as has been hinted at in recent hours? No, absolutely not. A great job has been done in midfield, but the absence of the number 9 and the experienced defender are serious shortcomings. The truth is that even this year, a sporting miracle will be needed to win, while the Scudetto is assured financially.
“All things considered, several of Igli Tare ‘s statements, which accompanied the management of the transfer market, were surprising. Starting from the first day, when he announced his goal of acquiring a Giroud-style penalty 9: never seen before.
“At the same time, it was clear how little faith he had in Gimenez . The management of the Mexican was spectacularly wrong. His outburst to the press before the match against Lecce was a huge mistake, even more so given how things ended. Massara did much better in denying even the obvious, maintaining high regard for his player Dovbyk, who later remained with the Giallorossi.
“There is currently a perceived negative surrounding the Mexican centre-forward, which in my opinion is decidedly far from the reality of the facts and numbers. Since wearing the Rossoneri number 7, he has scored 6 goals and 4 assists in 1146 minutes. Translated: one goal every 191 minutes of play. One goal/assist every 115 minutes: that’s a significant average.
“At 24, he’s scored eight goals and two assists in 11 Champions League appearances: these are extraordinary numbers. Now it’s up to him to prove more than a few people wrong about him, depending on how much time Allegri will give him.
“In this regard, the idea of using Leao as a number 9 is fascinating but risky. It’s one thing to face teams that attack and leave you space like in preseason, but it’s another to face closed teams: someone like Gimenez definitely needs to be exploited.”
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