AC MILAN
AC Milan: Maldini out, Pulisic in
After the departures of Maldini, Massara and Tonali, the Rossoneri are once again moving in the window.
Milan’s summer did not start well. The club parted ways with Italian football legend Paolo Maldini, a decision that inevitably angered many. Sporting director Frederic Massara also left the club. The pair had led the renaissance that culminated in the 2022 scudetto and no one could have imagined such a tense farewell, but Gerry Cardinale, head of the RedBird fund, opted for a new start.
There was dissatisfaction with last season’s results and also with the performance of several signings, including Charles De Ketelaere. The Belgian cost over €30 million - was the big bet of the 2022 window - and failed to show up.
The club is now in the hands of Geoffrey Moncada, chief scout, and CEO Giorgio Furlani. The directors have invested the €80 million from the departure of Sandro Tonali. Tonali was also criticised for joining Newcastle United, as the midfielder was one of last year’s top performers and is a Milanista by birth.
The club’s new signings are however restoring the fans’ faith at San Siro. The starting eleven will not change much for Stefano Pioli. Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will continue to be the backbone of the team.
New Milan signings
Milan have signed goalkeeper Marco Sportiello and Luka Romero (both out of contract), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (€16m) and Christian Pulisic (€20m) from Chelsea, Tijjani Reijnders from AZ Alkmaar (€19m), and Noah Okafor from Salzburg (€14m).
Álex Jiménez has also arrived on loan from Real Madrid with an option to buy, and will play with the reserve team. Nigerian forward Samu Chukwueze is set to sign with the Italian giants (approx €30m) and negotiations are underway for USMNT and Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah.
Milan are opting for a mix of youth and experience - and have signed well - making the Rossoneri the big winners of the Italian summer transfer window so far.