AC Milan takeover: 10 players who could arrive in €300m spending spree
Cameron Smith
- 18 Apr 2022 12:20 BST
- 6 min read
AC Milan are one of the biggest names in world football, but over the past decade they've fallen away from the pinnacle of the sport.
A run of poor finishes condemned them to obscurity in Champions League terms, but they've now returned to the title race in Serie A and look like a force to be reckoned with once more.
That fact will only be bolstered by news of a takeover bid that will see a huge summer spending spree conducted. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are set to be taken over by Investcorp, a Bahraini investment fund, this summer.
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The report suggests Milan will have a transfer budget of around €300 million to spend and this has seen them linked with some of Europe's best talents.
The company taking over Milan want to see the Italian club return to the heights of their heyday and are reportedly set to invest heavily into the team to achieve this.
Both Nicolo Zaniolo and Aurelien Tchouameni have been linked following the news of the takeover but in Zaniolo's case he's only just returned from two back-to-back ACL injuries, while Tchouameni is wanted by the best clubs in Europe, so Milan are unlikely to win the race for him.
But, which players could they feasibly sign this summer?
What goalkeepers could transfer to Milan this summer?
With Mike Maignan's form since arriving from Lille last year being so impressive, Milan haven't felt the loss of Gianluigi Donnarumma one bit and as such they aren't in the market for a new shot-stopper.
He has been a stalwart at the back and one of Europe's best goalkeepers for a second successive season.
What defenders could transfer to Milan this summer?
Sven Botman
Milan swooped for Maignan from Lille last season and they could do the same with Sven Botman this time around. The Dutch defender helped Lille to the title last year and has impressed again during the 2021/22 season. Milan's hunt for a centre-back this summer is clear due to injury issues and a lack of options during this campaign.
Right-back Pierre Kalulu has been forced to play in the middle of the back four, and signing Botman would allow him to shift back to the flank. Fikayo Tomori needs a stable partner next to him, and Botman is heavily rumoured to be that man as reports suggest a deal is all-but completed.
Malang Sarr
If Botman isn't signed, or Milan simply want to bolster their squad depth, then Malang Sarr could be turned to once again. The Chelsea defender was wanted by Milan in January, but a move was blocked by the Premier League club due to their own defensive issues. A deal won't be agreed soon though due to the ownership situation at Chelsea. He would slot in at left centre-back just like Botman.
What midfielders could transfer to Milan this summer?
Renato Sanches
With Franck Kessie's contract set to expire at the end of this season, Milan are in the hunt for a replacement. They are reportedly leading the race for Portugal and Lile midfielder Renato Sanches and are likely to try to prise another talent away from Lille. His injury problem may be of a concern to Milan however, but his ability is unquestionable.
Florian Grillitsch
An alternative to Sanches as a Kessie replacement is Hoffenheim's Florian Grillitsch. The versatile Austrian can play as a central midfielder or a central midfielder meaning he's the perfect player for this Milan side given their deficiencies in those two positions. He has excelled this season, proving himself to be an excellent progressive passer and distributor from deep, as well as a defensive presence.
Jesse Lingard
While Sanches and Grillitsch could fill the role of the defensive midfielder Milan seek, the club are also after an attacking midfielder. Brahim Diaz started the season well, but he's slightly gone off the boil and one man they're reportedly targeting is Manchester United's Jesse Lingard. He was spotted in Milan recently and has been touted for a move to Serie A. With gametime ay Old Trafford hard to come by, an exit is very likely this summer and Milan could be the destination for the Englishman.
What forwards could transfer to Milan this summer?
Christopher Nkunku
Before this season Christopher Nkunku would've been classed as a midfielder, but his development this year has altered that entirely. The Frenchman plays as a false nine for RB Leipzig but there's nothing false about his goal record. He's already hit the 30-goal mark in all competitions this season, while his creativity hasn't dipped as a result. Capable of playing anywhere across the front line or as an attacking midfielder, Nkunku would be perfect for Milan.
Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio has also been linked with Milan fairly frequently and the enticingly open berth on the right wing could be filled by the Real Madrid man. The two clubs have a good working relationship following the deal for Brahim Diaz and going further back even Kaka. Like Lingard, Asensio was also in Milan not too long ago.
Domenico Berardi
A different option to Asensio would be to stay in Serie A and pursue Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi. His team-mate Gianluca Scamacca was on their radar, but Inter are also interested and he seems to have fallen away in Milan's thinking. While Berardi has only ever played for Sassuolo, his number suggest he should have. The Italian has scored over 100 goals for the club in less than 300 appearances and could be rewarded with a move to Milan, reports suggest.
Divock Origi
Like the deal with Botman, Divock Origi's move to Milan is almost official. The Liverpool striker is a back-up option at Anfield and could take up a similar role in Italy, although he is likely to play more often. A scorer of crucial goals, he'll add much needed experience to a fairly youthful Milan side.
Sebastien Haller
Ajax forward Sebastian Haller has also been linked since the takeover reports. He struggled in the Premier League after joining West Ham, but has bounced back in the Eredivisie. He's contributed more than 40 goals this season, including 13 goals and assists in just eight Champions League appearances. A similar style of striker to Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Haller would fit in seamlessly with how Milan play.
