Ok! Now things are starting to move a little! After what was expected to be a long start to Milan’s summer mercato business, there are some sprouts starting to pop up and we are starting to see what’s in store.
Training, Mercato, and First Friendly
Milan has gotten about two week’s worth of work in and based on all the stuff the club is putting out for us to consume, we can assume they’re excited about the freshness a new season and a new coach brings. If you get a chance, hop on acmilan.com and check out the posts, pics, and videos.
Some of the things I’ve noticed from what they’ve shared are lots of team work, like connected movements to help the team function as one. This is obviously important in all phases of the game but is MOST important on defense, something Fonseca appears keen on improving with or without new additions. We won’t know its impacts until the games that matter start, but considering the volume of goals allowed last season, this is surely something we’re all happy to see.
There’s also been a ton of individual technique drills to help in those 1:1 aspects of the game. This is especially helpful when facing a team packing it in and you need some moments of brilliance to help get a breakthrough. If you get a chance, check out this individual work with Chukwueze. I know I wasn’t his biggest cheerleader last season AND I gave praise when it was due towards the end as his play improved. I want strong RW play but this also allows Pulisic to play as the CAM if Fonseca sticks with the 4-2-3-1, which I think would give Milan its most potent attack.
Moving on, Milan have their first preseason friendly tomorrow (Saturday, July 20th) against Austrian side Rapid Wien. It’s on at 11:30am EST (4:30pm GMT) and while I’m anticipating it being on the Milan app and/or their YouTube channel as they have done in the past, it appears it’s also going to be on FuboTV and ESPN+ here in the states. Be sure to check out your local listings.
As for what to expect, well a good chunk of their first teamers are still not back as they’ve were busy most of June with international duty. But, for the ones that are there expect them, and really everyone else, to get in about 45 minutes of work with two different 11’s on the pitch in the first and second halves. Also expect some sloppiness as Milan tries to adapt to Fonseca’s philosophies but they should still put out a win in what should be a 4-5-6 total goals’ game.
Finally, Álvaro Morata put ink to paper just this morning and we’ll have more on this (aside from the little bit below) when he is officially presented to the media in the coming week or two.
Comings, Goings, and Rumors
Summer Arrivals
Just signed! We don’t know the exact details but the reporting is that Milan is triggering the release clause at €13M and he’s getting a 4 year deal at €4M per season. Apparently there is a trigger for a 5th year option if he hits 20 g/a in his 4th year.
I mentioned in the comments of the last post that I liked the move and think he will be a solid contributor especially with Leão, Pulisic, and Chukwueze hopefully firing on all cylinders around him. He has solid technique, puts in the work, and should be around 20 g/a every season.
ARRIVED
- Álvaro Morata – Atletico (€13M, €4-5M wages per season)
- Alex Jimenez – Madrid (€5M)
- Jan Carlo Simic – Primavera
Summer Departures
Devis Vasquez has gone to Empoli on loan with an option to buy. Milan only paid €810K for him so I wouldn’t be surprised if Milan just let him leave on a free after this.
DEPARTED
- CDK – Atalanta (sold, €22M+€3M for initial loan+10% future resale)
- Krunic – Fenerbache (sold, €3.5M)
- Giroud – LAFC (free)
- Vasquez – Empoli (loan + option)
Rumor Mill
Some names with a sentence or two on each, ordered by most likely to least likely at the time of writing.
FOFANA We all want him and I think he ends up coming but Monaco doesn’t want to let him go at a discount and so far Milan hasn’t budged on what they’re offering. I’m usually one to say wait it out but since he’d be the only true DM on the roster I think they should just get him out there and start working him into the first team ASAP. In short: Milan needs to just pay up
FÜLLKRUG This rumor got hot over the past couple of weeks and the asking price isn’t too bad at a rumored €15-20M. After scoring 26 g/s across all competition last season plus 2 more goals in the Euro 2024 tournament, he would be a solid compliment at still just 31yrs of age. I just saw that Jovic will be wearing the #9 this upcoming season so does that mean this is BS? He does wear #14 so maybe it doesn’t matter?…
I know many were high on Zirkzee but Füllkrug and Morata for €30-40M would be a nice piece of business. Flashy? No. Smart? Yes
PAVLOVIC The Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg CB is a young (24) and tall (6’4″/193m) promising player, and while I don’t know really anything about him, all indications are that he would be a solid signing. I’ll sure we’ll all learn more as time moves forward but I have him up this high on the list because the asking price is rumored to be about €25m, which is within Gerry’s range, and Milan is said to be looking for a CB especially if Fonseca is planning on playing Kalulu at RB.
SAMARDZIC This rumor just popped up this week and while his name has been in the general rumor mill for the last couple of seasons, including a deal that fell through even after a physical with Inter last year, he is still a hot commodity. With a rumored asking price of between €15-20M, and still only 22yrs old and can play multiple midfield positions, it isn’t hard to see why.
I don’t know how likely this move is but we know this Udinese player well and I would happily take him over RLC.
DOVBYK Nothing new and if I had to bet there was never much in this
SESKO Rumored price is €15M more than Dovbyk (€35M) so I’m going with no
BROJA This has gone quiet too but I could see this being a late window move if Füllkrug doesn’t come especially considering it’s Chelsea and the relationship the 2 teams have
RABIOT Nah
ROYAL Not going to happen
Wrap Up
Alright! Things are picking up and I would expect another arrival or two over the next 1-2 weeks so get ready to get excited. The Serie A season is less than a month away!
Forza Milan.
gillis
*We won’t be putting up a matchday post for the friendly tomorrow so we’ll see you here in the comment section