The AC Milan management showed in the winter transfer window that they are not frightened of making big changes, and it will be the same in the summer.
La Gazzetta dello Sport speak of an upcoming ‘revolution’ regardless of whether Milan get a top four spot and if they were to win the Coppa Italia. It will be interesting to understand what will happen, to see which players will stay and which will say goodbye.
For some, it will depend on the head coach (potentially a new one) and the director who will make the choices. Giorgio Furlani will definitely remain, but questions will be asking of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Geoffrey Moncada, while a new sporting director could arrive. Who else is at risk though?
The Leao case
Theo Hernandez is at odds with Milan, and should leave in the summer or when his contract expires at the latest. However, his partner on the left flank Rafael Leao – who he arrived with in 2019 – is also at risk of leaving.
They made their way together, they reached their peak together and now they are being questioned together. Leao is not unsellable for Milan: he has a long contract but he hasn’t made the leap in quality expected and is the subject of criticism.
They made their way together, they reached their peak together and now they are being questioned together. Leao is not unsellable for Milan: he has a long contract but he hasn’t made the leap in quality expected and is the subject of criticism.
There are signs that the end of the cycle is near, but it will depend on the offers. The clause of €175m is purely formal: it does not represent Leao’s value nor Milan’s request. The impression, at the end of February, is that €80m would be enough though the next two months could change that.
What is certain is that, at the moment, one destination for Rafa is more likely than the others: Saudi Arabia. There is no shortage of money in the Saudi Pro League and Leao is obviously of interest.
The defensive department
Fikayo Tomori was twice on the verge of leaving in the winter but said no to Juventus and above all to Tottenham. The price, more or less money, was set: €25m (plus bonuses). Even in the summer, a lot will depend on him, because Milan made it clear enough what they think.
Tomori for Conceiçao was a starter in January, yet now he is less so. Speaking of which, pay attention to Malick Thiaw, who is playing a bit more recently having lost his starting spot before, and has always had admirers in the Bundesliga and Premier League.
What does it take to be a candidate for a move in football today? Playing at a good level, having an affordable salary for the buying clubs and representing a capital gain for the selling club. With Thiaw, three out of three.
Strahinja Pavlovic, on the other hand, cost more, has been in Milan for a shorter time and seems to be growing week by week. Now it is more likely that he will stay, but the Rossoneri directors could quickly change their mind.
Probable goodbyes
So, who is leaving? Well, there is a trio of suspects starting with Emerson Royal. The Brazilian was close to saying goodbye already in January, when Milan made a drastic decision to let him depart and to sign Kyle Walker.
It is difficult to imagine that someone will call with a bid of €15m for Emerson, but much more likely that Milan will find a team interested in a loan. In the list of destinations, Turkey is more likely than the others.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a distant thought for Milan fans and has regressed a lot in one year. He played a few minutes on January 6 and, before that, he was last a starter on December 11. Conceiçao likes him but it is up to him to show that he can stay fit and deserves the No.8 shirt.
The third name is Samuel Chukwueze, who disappointed at Milan, a lot. He is not a starter nor has he been a super sub. It may be that Serie A is not the league for him and, after two years of trying, he has probably convinced himself of this.
Alessandro Florenzi is a special case. In the past he was fundamental as a dressing room man and team man, capable of playing on the right, in the middle and on the left, and even a good free-kick taker too.
However, the injury in July was very serious as he needed reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and repair of the lateral meniscus of the right knee. He has not returned yet and in the summer, who knows. It is not excluded that he will stay but his role would be unknown.
