Longoni explains why Milan should go for Vlahovic over Lewandowski: “Extraordinary opportunity”

AC Milan should try to sign Dusan Vlahovic over Robert Lewandowski, a journalist has stated, with both being potential free transfer opportunities.

With the January transfer window just over a month and a half away, there is a lot of speculation about the moves that Milan might make to try and compete the squad. However, it is next summer when more sizeable changes are more likely, especially given some contract situations.

For example, the Rossoneri’s attack is half jammed at the moment. Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku are both without a league goal, leading to suggestions a new No.9 will be sought. Then there is Mike Maignan’s expiring deal, which could force the signing of a starting goalkeeper.

Vlahovic and Caprile over Lewandowski and Suzuki

Andrea Longoni has published a column for Calciomercato.com titled as follows: ‘Milan: Vlahovic is a unique opportunity, preferable to Lewandowski’. The content, as you might imagine, is pretty self explanatory.

“January is approaching, and Milan must use the transfer window to address some issues and fill some gaps. I’m thinking primarily of the centre-forward, as well as the defender (a quality wing-back is also needed, but unlikely to arrive). Finding a No.9 capable of making a difference in two months won’t be easy: it will require creativity on Tare’s part.

Photo: Marco Rosi / Fotonotizia

“Looking to the future, first and foremost is the Maignan issue. I reiterate that losing him for free would be incredibly painful for the team, Allegri, and the Rossoneri fans.

“As the saying goes, ‘you know what you leave, you don’t know what you’ll find’, replacing him with a worthy goalkeeper won’t be easy. Leadership, charisma, and importance in the locker room must also be considered: Maignan is AC Milan’s captain, and losing a captain is never nice, especially without taking a hit.

“Parma’s Suzuki keeps bouncing around: he’s not a name for Milan, he too often stumbles into blunders or gross errors. In my opinion, the management should look elsewhere. For example, towards Cagliari’s Caprile, who, among other things, is Italian and would improve the Azzurri quota, which is still low around Milanello. He’s a goalkeeper who’s doing very well and seems decidedly more reassuring than his Japanese colleague. Caprile is a lifelong favorite compared to Suzuki.

“And then comes the most important, yet most delicate, mission: finally finding a striker with a high scoring record. Milan have been unable to secure one for too long. The Lewandowski option, which we’ve also been following through the updates on calciomercato.com, is very interesting: seven goals in nine LaLiga games, while not starting, tell us he’s a solid player, on point, and continuing to make a difference.

“He’d arrive at Milan at the age of 38: he wouldn’t be able to sign a multi-year contract, but in the short term, he’d be a top performer. I’m very much in favor of this option, especially after the recent experiences of Ibrahimovic, Giroud, and Modric.

“Otherwise, I’d look at Vlahovic, who turns 26 in January: an extraordinary opportunity on a free transfer, not to be missed. For the project, I’d prefer him to the Blaugrana. Lewandowski or Vlahovic, I don’t see many worthy alternatives.”