2 months ago
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AC Milan could sign more than just a striker in the last bit of the transfer window, depending on potential opportunities that arise.
Milan have been among the busiest clubs in Italy so far in the current mercato. Samuele Ricci, Luka Modric and Ardon Jashari have joined to rebuild the midfield, while Pervis Estupinan, Koni De Winter and Zachary Athekame have been the defensive signings.
In addition to that there have been sales like those of Tijjani Reijnders, Theo Hernandez, Malick Thiaw and most recently Noah Okafor. In fact, there has been around €200m generated from exits, which many believe could mean a frantic end to the window.
Surprises in store
Journalist Alfredo Pedulla was a guest on The Italian Football Podcast, and he spoke about the pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic during a section on Juventus.
“Dusan Vlahovic is a big problem. He is a big problem. It is a problem for Juve, not for Vlahovic. Vlahovic earns 1 million at the end of every month. So there are no problems for Vlahovic. Because he is on huge wages,” he began.
“The only problem for Vlahovic is that it is a world cup year, so he can’t wait too long because if he doesn’t play, he is the one who will suffer from it. Yesterday Taré spoke. Let me tell you something. Milan are tracking two or three strikers.
“If it were up to Allegri, they would sign Vlahovic and not Höjlund. Then maybe Hojlund arrives, but for them Vlahovic is more of a priority in terms of importance. Because Vlahovic is a better player than Höjlund. Vlahovic can guarantee you 15-18 goals. Höjlund is a question mark, I don’t know.
“Because Höjlund when he was in Italy, when he left Atalanta to go to Manchester United, had scored 7-8 goals. He hasn’t scored a lot of goals at Manchester United. Therefore, for Juve who want to bring back Kolo Muani this week, they could find themselves with three attackers: Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani.
“But I think that we have to pay attention to Vlahovic until the end of the window, Because Juventus don’t want to be taken to the cleaners, and Vlahovic, who earns a lot, thinks about the fact that being the third striker at Juventus, where he wouldn’t play a lot during a world cup year, won’t be a very nice thing. Because strikers need to play, they need to score.
“Vlahovic has always scored during preseason this year. Even when he hasn’t started, when he has come on he has scored. He scored even in the last game, in Bergamo against Atalanta.
“It also depends a lot on what Juventus wants, which I think can’t be even €25 million. They can ask €16 million + add-ons. And if Milan are ok with this sum, then I think it’s all to play for, without forgetting Hojlund. Because Hojlund is also on Milan’s list.”
You mentioned Rasmus Hojlund and Dusan Vlahoic, is the striker position the last position that Milan will sign a player for?
“No, that’s not necessarily the case, because Milan needs to make some sales. Because yesterday Saelemaekers did really well, therefore they are in a good place on the wings,” he said.
“They have to decide if they are to sign another central defender, because they play a 3-5-2, therefore with three central defenders, they don’t have that many of those. They have Pavlovic, Tomori, they signed De Winter, they have Gabbia. Maybe they could do with a fifth central defender.
“No, their transfer window isn’t closed, then it depends, maybe an offer arrived for Musa who right now is part of Milan. An offer could arrive for Okafor, which is a situation to monitor because he could leave [a €20m deal has been agreed since]. I’m not sure that their striker options are OK.
“The transfer window usually has a surprise or two in store for you in the last week. Opportunities, maybe investments on things that you thought you wouldn’t do. Therefore, we have to follow it until the end and not bank on the fact that Milan will only sign a player for the striker position.”
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