AC Milan completed five signings for the first team in January, spending more than they have in several years. Below, we take a look at the signings and the details of each, from the contract length to the transfer fee.
It ended up being a lively January mercato for the Rossoneri, following the poor start to the season, and the hope is that this will spark a definite turnaround. Top four is still within reach but good results are needed, which the signings should help with.
If you want a full financial breakdown of the mercato, such as gross costs, how the sales increased the budget and so on, make sure to read our long read on Substack. It’s one of the most popular bonus articles we do every year, so don’t miss out!
2025 winter signings
Kyle Walker (full-back)
Formula: Six-month loan with option to buy
Fee: €5m option
From: Man City
Contract: €4.5m net per year until 2028
The Englishman was the first to arrive during the window and he has already played a couple of games, showing his experience. Seeing as Milan got the loan for free, just covering his salary, this was a good deal especially with Emerson Royal out injured (and not performing well).
Santiago Gimenez (striker)
Formula: Permanent transfer
Fee: €28.5m plus bonuses and future resale clause
From: Feyenoord
Contract: €2.5m net per year until 2028 + one-year option
This is the one that everyone was waiting for, with Milan desperately needing a new No.9 to lead the line. Granted that he has picked the No.7, it seems Gimenez could be the one and the figures of the deal – at the end of the day – were also very good.
Warren Bondo (midfielder)
Formula: Permanent transfer
Fee: €10m plus bonuses
From: Monza
Contract: €1.5m per year until 2029
As Ismael Bennacer asked to leave the club, this was the best possible replacement for Milan. He’s young, knows the league well and he also seemed eager to join. Considering a replacement needed to be found on deadline day, a very good outcome indeed.
Joao Felix (attacking midfielder)
Formula: Six-month dry loan
Fee: €5m including bonuses
From: Chelsea
Contract: €2m net until the summer
The former Benfica man has already presented himself to the fans, scoring on his debut, and many believe that he could be the creative outlet that Milan previously lacked. The loan is expensive, but Geoffrey Moncada admitted that a permanent deal could be discussed in the summer.
Riccardo Sottil (winger)
Formula: Six-month loan with option to buy
Fee: €1m for the loan and €11m option
From: Fiorentina
Contract: €250k net until the summer
Milan only had 90 seconds left of the mercato when his signing was completed, and it was mainly to make up for Davide Calabria’s departure from the squad list. Samuel Chukwueze never ended up leaving for the Premier League so perhaps more of a ‘luxury’ addition in the end (or Noah Okafor’s replacement depending on how you look at it).
