AC Milan continue to be linked with more transfer targets this summer, with Isco and Philippe Coutinho among the latest to be paired with a move.
The Rossoneri have a void to fill after Hakan Calhanoglu’s exit, as while the playmaker didn’t always entirely convince, as our No.10, he was our creator in chief.
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Losing that creativity and quality in the final third leaves us with a problem, one that needs to be addressed before the start of the new campaign next month.
As per MilanNews, Dusan Tadic has emerged as a target but Ajax are said to be eager to hold on to their star man, and so that could in turn force us to look elsewhere.
According to Marca, Milan have targeted Isco as the Spaniard isn’t expected to feature heavily for Real Madrid next season while he has just one year remaining on his current contract. It’s added that a fee of around €20m could prise him away from the Bernabeu.
Talk of targets doesn’t stop there though, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Coutinho has been offered to Milan, as he looks to try and get his career back on track after a serious injury last season and a less than impressive impact since joining Barcelona.
Whoever Milan opt for to add more quality in the final third, there’s a case to be made that we’re in fact in need of two signings for that specific area of the squad this summer.
Lack of quality from attacking options, Milan need fresh ideas
Between Rafael Leao, Samu Castillejo and Alexis Saelemaekers, they scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in 123 appearances.
That simply isn’t good enough from our wide players, especially if we want to start competing at the top level against the best defences in Europe.
Milan need more creativity and quality on the flanks and a consistent source of assists and goals.
Tadic has proven capable of providing that at Ajax, and so with the 32-year-old’s experience and pedigree, he would be a smart addition to the Milan squad.
However, that alone is arguably not going to be enough. Whether it’s Coutinho, Isco or any of the other names linked with a move, there needs to be a double signing to really give the attacking unit a reshuffle and breathe fresh life into it.
Given Isco and Coutinho played very little last season and weren’t particularly effective themselves, question marks will be raised over their ability to make a positive impact.
That said, if they have a desire for a fresh challenge, fit Stefano Pioli’s style of play perfectly and gel with their teammates, they have the talent and ability to be influential at a high level still.
Particularly with the challenge of wanting to be competitive across multiple fronts, Milan need more than just a Calhanoglu replacement this summer, and if it’s Tadic, Coutinho, Isco, James Rodriguez, Hakim Ziyech or any of the others linked incessantly over the past fortnight, we should be considering signing at least two of them.