According to a source, AC Milan considered investing in a new striker during the January transfer window, but they have once again chosen to put off the purchase.
According to a report this morning from Tuttosport (via MilanNews), Joshua Zirkzee is the leading candidate to fill the position of center-forward before 2024–25. 
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to frequent visitors to our website, since we revealed in an exclusive a few months ago that Milan is reportedly scouting him.
According to the report, he developed significantly under Thiago Motta at Bologna. It’s interesting to note that Motta is one of the top candidates to succeed Stefano Pioli as Milan’s head coach.
Zirkzee is valued at €40 million, which is the same as Bayern Munich’s buy-back amount. However, the German team is uninterested in sending the Dutchman back to Bavaria and would want to get the money from the selling clause instead.
Milan is keeping an eye on Zirkzee and waiting to make a firm bid for the 22-year-old because it would require a significant financial commitment and because Bologna might demand more than €40 million if he had a successful season.
Sales could help the Rossoneri. For instance, Rase Krunic moved to Fenerbahce for almost €5 million, Junior Messias moved to Genoa for €3 million, Alexis Saelemaekers moved to Bologna for €12 million, and Charles De Ketelaere moved permanently to Atalanta for €23 million.
If all of those loans were to be made permanent, which now appears more likely than not, the total would therefore exceed €40m, and it would bring in a sizeable amount that could be placed on the plate. I really enjoy Zirkzee.
But jee, if it’s going to cost 40 million, let’s see him keep up the form.
For a dysfunctional squad, Lorenzo Lucca has seven goals and two assists in his relatively short career.
Although he lacks Zirkzee’s physical development (bigger players take longer), if he can combine his best hold-up play for the season with his poaching and perhaps find a team with a strong and effective system, you should be able to achieve a similar level of production at a cost that is about 25% less.
Leave a Reply