AC Milan are being heavily linked with Brest midfielder Romain Faivre, so we took a closer look and analysed why he’s on our radar.
The Rossoneri have been busy this summer with a string of signings to strengthen Stefano Pioli’s squad, but there is an argument that we’re still short in the final third.
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Having lost Hakan Calhanoglu, there is a void that must still be filled in terms of our creative players, with Brahim Diaz needing support and competition in that role.
As per MilanNews, Faivre is emerging as our top target but with Brest demanding €15m to green light an exit, negotiations are ongoing between the clubs to find an agreement on a transfer fee.
So, if Faivre was to arrive, would he be the solution that Milan are looking for?
Analysis, scouting profile and statistics on Faivre
Faivre, 23, came through the youth ranks at Tours and Monaco before making his professional debut for the latter in 2018.
However, with a lack of playing time with the Ligue 1 outfit, he opted to join Brest in June 2020, and has since gone on to make 40 appearances for the club, scoring six goals and providing seven assists in those outings.
At international level, he has been capped eight times for France U21s, scoring twice for his country.
While he can play on the left side of midfield, Brest have used him through the middle more so this season and that is arguably where Milan intend on playing him, should a deal be done.
The Rossoneri need to add creative quality and penetration both through distribution and direct running in that area of the pitch, and as seen in the video below, those are characteristics that Faivre could certainly bring to the side.
Technically gifted, Faivre is both skilful and quick on the ball as he enjoys taking his man on and getting past to create dangerous situations in the final third with his acceleration getting him away from his marker once he’s left them behind.
Importantly he has the awareness and vision to also find a key pass when he gets into those positions, and that has ultimately led to him creating opportunities for his teammates while also being a direct threat himself as well as in set-piece scenarios.
Last season in Ligue 1 on average, he had a 65% successful action rate, 0.22 xG, 85% passing accuracy and 57.9% dribbling success.
He also made three interceptions per 90 minutes while making almost five recoveries in the opposition half per game too as he clearly offers pressure and defensive quality off the ball too.
As noted above, he was predominantly used on the left wing by Brest last season, and so it will be interesting to see how he would potentially deal with playing more centrally or if Milan see him more as a replacement for Samu Castillejo and Alexis Saelemaekers on the wing, but he does have two assists in three games this season playing through the middle.
It’s a gamble from Milan in that Faivre hasn’t really shown he can deliver at the top level just yet. That said, he has bags of talent and potential, and he has displayed signs of being a top player. Time will tell if he takes his game to the next level in a Milan shirt in the coming years.
