AC Milan is actively seeking to acquire a new elite striker, signaling an anticipated major overhaul of their offensive lineup. Despite circulating rumors, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are widely expected to remain with the club rather than depart. Conversely, the status of Christopher Nkunku, Santiago Gimenez, and Niclas Fullkrug within the squad remains unclear.
According to Calciomercato, the French forward saw some playing time during injury absences of his teammates, but his recent appearances have been very limited. While he improved his statistics from a poor beginning, now standing at 6 goals and 3 assists across 27 matches, he hasn’t yet established himself as a vital asset in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans. Nkunku might even find himself lower than Gimenez in the team’s hierarchy. Milan faces a challenge to avoid a financial loss, having invested €37 million, plus €5 million in add-ons, to bring him in from Chelsea. A sale at around €30 million would be required to mitigate this. Fenerbahce reportedly attempted to acquire him in January, possibly due to his connection with coach Domenico Tedesco.
The financial implications are considerably smaller for Fullkrug, currently on loan from West Ham. However, as Matteo Moretto reports (via SOSFanta), the Rossoneri are reportedly leaning against making his move permanent, despite possessing a €5 million buy option. He was brought in as a stop-gap, and his contributions have not been exceptional.
Our Perspective on Milan’s Attack
It’s highly unlikely they will retain all current forwards if they successfully sign one of their primary targets. The German striker’s future might be decided first, potentially making him the initial casualty due to the timing of decisions. While a capable backup with a unique skill set, he requires more regular playing time to be truly effective. Offloading Nkunku and Gimenez for appropriate fees will prove challenging, and the club may be compelled to retain one of them for financial considerations.
