Who have AC Milan bought so far?
With a heavy reliance on Jeremy Menez who was the top scorer last season on 16 goals – the club have reinforced the attacking department. They have all but signed Carlos Bacca and officially purchased Luiz Adriano from Porto – these forwards have a reported combined transfer fee of 38 million Euros.
I think purchasing these two strikers shows a great statement of intent to climb back to the top of Italian football. Both are proven European goal scorers and were sought after by many leading clubs across Europe – they should certainly add some firepower.
Another notable signing is Andrea Bertolacci. Milan signed the 24-year-old midfielder from AS Roma this summer for a hefty 20 million Euros. Bertolacci impressed during his loan stint at Genoa last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists.
Signing Bertolacci should inject much-needed creativity into Milan’s midfield. He can play from a central or advanced position, a deeper playmaker or No.10. It’s refreshing to see a young Italian player move to clubs in Serie A for such a fee, in fact, it’s always refreshing to see big clubs like AC Milan investing in home grown players - It can only be a positive for the national team.
A couple of other midfielders who have come into Siniša Mihajlović’s side are Mauri (free from Parma) and Simone Verdi from Torino.
Mauri could prove to be a shroud signing should he be given the opportunity to perform, he was a bright light from Parma’s disastrous campaign last year.
Where do they need to strengthen?
CEO Adriano Galliani’s focus should now turn to reinforcing the defence. Last season, the side shipped an astonishing 50 goals.
Here is a list of AC Milan’s defenders; Mattia De Sciglio (full back), Philippe Mexès (centre back), Cristián Zapata (centre back), Ignazio Abate (full back), Gabriel Paletta (centre back) Luca Antonelli (full back), Alex (centre back), Christian Zaccardo (full back).
From that selection, I think Ignazio Abate, Luca Antonelli and Gabriel Paletta are worth keeping.
Mattia De Sciglio is yet to live up to his full potential and would benefit with a loan away to a smaller club in a less pressured environment. Philippe Mexes is a loose cannon and should have been sold a long time ago – but bizarrely, the club offered him a one-year contract extension.
Cristian Zapata is not good enough tactically, his positioning at times last season was woeful. Alex hasn’t convinced me, he was great at Chelsea – downhill ever since he left for PSG. Christian Zaccardo is 34 and inconsistent.
The club need to sign a couple of centre backs and a couple of full backs, but realistically, that will not happen this summer. But hopefully for the rossoneri fans, a world-class defender will come in.
Stars such as Mats Hummels or Diego Godin would be excellent, but with no Champions League football, there is virtually no chance.
So, who are realistic purchases?
The club has been linked with Roma’s defender Alessio Romagnoli, who had an outstanding season on loan at Sampdoria. Milan submitted a bid of 25 million Euros this month, which was rejected as Roma demanded more.
It’s unsure whether the club will submit a higher bid, but at 20-years of age, he could be the answer to Milan future defence.
Another defender linked with the club was Monaco’s Aymen Abdennour. He is highly sought after this summer following an impressive Champions League campaign last term.
I think he would be a brilliant acquisition, but the purchase of the Tunisian centre back was ruled out because the club cannot fit any more non-European Union players into their team following the acquisition of Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano. Such a shame.
There is still a long way to go in the transfer market, but it’s best to act fast with pre-season now well underway - the defence should be the priority.
Written by Serie A Writer
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