Zlatan Ibrahimovic has provided a timely update on AC Milan’s transfer plans this summer, and dismissed doubts over Theo Hernandez’s future at the club.
The Rossoneri have yet to be active in the transfer window with any notable signings, but it’s hoped that having now officially unveiled Paulo Fonseca as our new coach this week, that will kick-start the process of moulding the squad into his own.
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Given our shortcomings last season coupled with the exits that have already been confirmed, it’s clear that the Milan squad requires reinforcements to strengthen it and make it more competitive, and so the expectation is that there will be new faces arriving between now and the end of this summer.
Ideally, we’d have those priority targets in the door already or at least on the verge of being confirmed, as it gives Fonseca the maximum amount of time to integrate them and convey to them what his ideas, style and philosophy are.
Instead, we’ve had to wait to see what moves the club makes, but Ibrahimovic has called for calm as he insists that the work is being done, and that they are not going to rush the process of constructing a squad capable of achieving their objectives this season and beyond.
“We’re putting the work in but not rushing anything,” Ibrahimovic told the media, as per the club’s official site. “I can guarantee that we’ll make new signings. We’re in the negotiation phase. Zirkzee is a thing of the past and I don’t want to mention other names. I’m not disappointed. There were a lot of rumours, but the reality is different to what was being rumoured. We want to have a 30-man squad. New players will arrive, while others will depart. In certain positions, we need to think about departures first to create space for new arrivals.”
Meanwhile, the Swede was also asked about Hernandez’s future at Milan amid speculation this summer that he could depart in a potential big-money exit.
Ibrahimovic has moved to dismiss that idea as he has insisted that the French international is a fundamental figure for Milan and will be integral for Fonseca moving forward, but the same certainly can’t be said for either Divock Origi or Fode Ballo-Toure, who are training with Milan Futuro ahead of a likely departure this summer.
“Theo Hernández is an AC Milan player,” he added. “We’re fortunate enough to have three players in the semi-finals of the Euros. He is very happy to be here, and he’ll have the opportunity to play in the way that he likes under our new coach.
“Origi and Ballo-Touré aren’t part of the first-team project but will be involved in the Milan Futuro team. I understand the ambition of the fans. We have our strategy and are on the same page. We’re working to make them happy at a Club where there’s pressure and a huge amount of ambition. We have clear objectives and want to win.”
It has been a frustrating summer thus far in truth given Milan’s inactivity, which has been exacerbated by the proactive approach and business of some of our direct rivals in terms of their move to make signings sooner rather than later.
Nevertheless, that is the situation that we face currently, but it’s just hoped that we don’t have to wait too much longer before Fonseca gets the signings he needs to turn this into a team capable of challenging for major honours again in the upcoming campaign.
