Part of the Milan transfer strategy moving forward is to identify and acquire young talent, and it’s reported that Vasco Walz could fit the bill next.
Over the past year or two, the direction has changed in terms of the Rossoneri’s desire to build a talented young squad with long-term plans in mind.
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That has been reflected in the signings of the likes of Rafael Leao, Sandro Tonali, Jens Petter Hauge and Pierre Kalulu.
Naturally, a balance has to be found to ensure short term and long term success, hence the additions of Simon Kjaer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but ultimately Milan are looking to continue to add talented youngsters to the club where possible.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Walz could be next on the agenda as it’s reported that the Borussia Dortmund starlet is close to joining Milan, but with such little experience and material to go on, what has caught the attention of the Rossoneri to warrant a potential swoop at this stage?
The 16-year-old is currently featuring at U17s level for both club and country, captaining the Dortmund youth side, with his natural position being that of a central midfielder.
He’s made 22 appearances for the Bundesliga giants at that level, scoring once and providing one assist, while he has featured twice for the German U17s as he appears to have a promising career ahead of him with his ability being acknowledged and rewarded already.
With a preference to sit in front of the defence, there have been comparisons to the role that Ismael Bennacer currently plays for Milan, and so it appears as though we could be looking to add quality and depth in that area of the squad with Walz perhaps looking to push the Algerian, Franck Kessie and Sandro Tonali for a starting berth if he were to arrive.
His current contract is set to expire this summer and so Milan are looking to snap up a potential gem on a free transfer, making this an even more intriguing and exciting acquisition if it comes to fruition.
According to MilanLive, a meeting is expected to be held between his representatives and Milan officials as we look to tie up a deal, while it’s also noted in the report that Barcelona have been paired with an interest in the talented starlet too.
There is undoubtedly a lot more to learn of Walz, but the early indications suggest that he is a stand-out talent in a youth set-up at Dortmund which is producing real quality, and so time will tell if Milan can prise him away and add him to a squad that is being built with long-term ambition and direction in mind.