AC Milan actively pursuing key targets to bolster their squad.
As AC Milan prepares for its pre-season tour to Singapore, the club`s transfer market activity has certainly taken flight. The Rossoblu management is engaged in a intricate dance of negotiations, balancing strategic acquisitions with financial prudence. The focus is clear: reinforce both the defensive flanks and the attacking spearhead.
The Estupinan Pursuit: A Left-Back Nearing Completion
On the defensive left, Brighton`s Ecuadorian international, Pervis Estupinan, appears to be Milan`s chosen man. A five-year contract, reportedly worth €2.5 million net per season (with the fifth year potentially an option), has been agreed upon with the player`s agent, Jorge Mendes. The path to securing the player for the San Siro faithful seems to be smoothing out.
However, the negotiation with Brighton remains the final hurdle. The English club is holding firm on a valuation of €23 million. Milan, having initially tabled an offer of €12 million plus bonuses, is keen to seal the deal around the €15 million mark, with a hard cap set at €20 million. Recent intensive contacts suggest a resolution might be imminent. Milan hopes to welcome Estupinan for his medical examinations early next week, allowing him to join the squad in Singapore. His Spanish passport, a bureaucratic convenience, certainly streamlines the process, a welcome relief after previous transfer complications.
Vlahovic: The Striker Saga Continues
While defensive reinforcements are pressing, the future of Milan`s attack remains a primary, albeit less immediate, concern. Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus stands as the prime target to lead the line. Yet, the conditions for a breakthrough in negotiations with Juventus are far from straightforward. Milan is in a peculiar waiting game, dependent on Juventus first securing a replacement striker, with Lille`s David being a strong candidate.
Should the stars align, Milan is prepared to offer Vlahovic a significant contract, albeit one considerably lower than his current €12 million net (over €22 million gross) at Juventus. Milan`s proposed package for the upcoming season, without Champions League revenue, would be around €6 million net plus performance-related bonuses (for goals and Scudetto victory), with a structure designed for salary increases in future seasons tied to Champions League qualification. It’s a compelling offer, but perhaps not one to instantly set a striker’s heart ablaze after enjoying double the current pay.
The core issue remains Juventus`s amortization of Vlahovic, currently around €19.5 million on their balance sheet. Juventus is eager for an outright offer. The prospect of a simple contract extension for a loan with a low mandatory buyout option doesn`t appear to excite Vlahovic`s entourage, who likely envision more lucrative free agent opportunities down the line. Milan monitors the situation, patiently awaiting the opportune moment to make their decisive move. Other options are also on the table, with Manchester United`s Hojlund mentioned as a potential loan target, though perhaps not fitting the “pure No. 9” profile as perfectly as Vlahovic.
Defensive Flank Considerations: Pubill and Beyond
Beyond Estupinan, Milan is also meticulously evaluating options for the right-back position. Marc Pubill of Almeria underwent medical tests in Barcelona, under the watchful eye of a Milan-appointed doctor, to assess the condition of his left knee, which underwent surgery in late 2023. The results were reportedly “comforting,” a positive step but not a guarantee of acquisition. Pubill`s price tag is around €15 million, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also reportedly in the mix.
Milan, however, maintains a pragmatic approach, considering other alternatives such as Doué, whom Strasbourg values at €25 million plus bonuses. The club understands the critical importance of these defensive decisions, aiming to avoid any missteps in strengthening a fundamental area of the squad.
Strategic Moves for a Balanced Squad
Rounding out their ambitions, Ardon Jashari is also on Milan`s radar, a player identified to complete the midfield puzzle. This concerted effort across multiple positions underscores Milan`s comprehensive strategy for the summer window. From meticulous medical checks to protracted financial negotiations, the club is engaged in the demanding art of squad building.
The transfer market, as ever, is a theatre of patience, negotiation, and occasional theatrical drama. Milan`s management is navigating these complexities with a clear vision, aiming to craft a stronger, more competitive squad for the challenges ahead, even if it means waiting for the dominoes to fall in other clubs` transfer sagas before making their final, decisive moves.
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