AC Milan directors, Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara, are tasked with the duty of strengthening the squad for Stefano Pioli. The team is doing quite well and all the focus is now on the Serie A and the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg fixture against Inter. But, the club managers also have in their agendas a few sales to take care of.
Ivan Gazidis and the rest of the board of directors are always keen to make the club more sustainable and healthy on a financial point of view, that is why there should be some exits to free up some space on the balance sheet.
In this context, there could be three departures in the summer.
Milan Reports can confirm that the Rossoneri will be looking for an accomodation for Mattia Caldara, Samu Castillejo and Fodé Ballo-Touré. The Senegalese left-back's move is not excluded in the summer if a new back-up for Theo Hernandez is secured. The 25-year-old player and former Monaco defender has not convinced the coach after 11 appearances overall for Milan this season. His contract is due to expire in June 2025.
The 27-year-old Italian centre-back, Mattia Caldara, is having an important season with Venezia but he is unlikely to stay there. Some Serie A clubs are following his situation closely and they may choose to go after him. His contract expires in June 2023.
Samu Castillejo, 27, also has no place in Stefano Pioli's vision. His future is away from the San Siro. In Spain and in Italy, some clubs are interested. Milan would let him go, but it's up to the Spanish winger to find an economic agreement with a potential suitor. His deal runs out in June 2023.
For the Rossoneri, these exits, in addition to Franck Kessié's transfer on a Bosman at the end of the season to FC Barcelona, would hypothetically free up some space on the books. Therefore, Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara would be looking to allocate the money and add it to the summer budget which can be helpful in signing important quality players to reinforce the team and add much-needed depth.
Milan Reports understands that the initial transfer budget for the summer, excluding departures and sales, thanks to securing Champions League football could be around 60 to 70 million euros and it would be obviously more if the club ends the season with a much-desired Scudetto triumph.
