AC Milan are reportedly preparing an offer for Lille ace Tiago Santos as we look to strengthen our options at right-back this summer.
Santos, 21, made the switch to join Lille last summer, and went on to make 43 appearances across all competitions, contributing three goals and two assists to go with his defensive duties.
READ MORE: Priority transfer target touted as Milan look to address key issue
According to Calciomercato, the Rossoneri have now identified him as our top target to bolster the right-back department ahead of next season, and the club’s hierarchy are said to be formulating a proposal worth an initial €10m plus up to €3m in bonuses to convince Lille to sell and open up talks over personal terms.
Time will tell if that’s enough to reach an agreement on a transfer, but it’s noted that Santos is now Milan’s priority target for that role, with incoming boss Paulo Fonseca knowing him well given they’ve worked together this past season at the Ligue 1 side.
Although Davide Calabria continues to offer a steady option and has established himself as a leadership figure in the squad having evolved into a stalwart of the side over the years, it’s been clear for some time that Milan need to upgrade in that position in order to raise our level.
A potential swoop would also suggest that Fonseca intends on using Pierre Kalulu as a centre-half rather than utilising his versatility to play at right-back, and so it will be interesting what emerges as his first-choice backline.
Either way, we need to increase the level of competition in the upcoming transfer window to force players to raise their level to stay in the side, and hopefully it will bring more out of Calabria too.
Nevertheless, changes are expected in the coming weeks and months as we look to strengthen the group and make it more competitive, and should Fonseca be confirmed as the next Milan boss as expected, he’ll be hoping to shape and mould this squad into his own with key reinforcements that suit his style and system.
