Not only a striker – Milan’s ideas to bolster the midfield and defence

The signing of a new striker will attract the most attention when it comes to AC Milan’s summer transfer window, but there are other positions that the management will address.

According to what is being reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), Milan wants to add a defensive midfielder and there is a name that the hierarchy appreciate more than the others: Youssouf Fofana of Monaco.

He is a name to follow because he is the right age, has international experience and a contract expiring in 2025. There is some international competition however, because his performances and contract situation have attracted clubs around Europe.

Milan will certainly sign a full-back, ideally a player capable of lending a hand on the right and left sides. Juan Miranda of Real Betis has been widely spoken about and he remains the subject of discussion within the club.

He would be a deputy to Theo Hernandez, and though he has never been tested in Italy he has room for growth and would be available on a free transfer.

The big decision, however, will be in defence. Milan have always placed a lot of emphasis on Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw, while in recent months they have understood that Gabbia can be much more useful than expected.

The idea that those four plus a young player (Jan-Carlo Simic, possibly) could be a solution for 2024-25 has been put to the test by Roma and by the too many goals conceded this season.

Here too, there is a crossroads: either Milan must decide that, with a new coach, that group can work, or they must invest in a starting centre-back. There is a problem: the budget will not be infinite.