AC Milan managers, Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara are continuing the clear line which they have been on for some time now. Among the goals in the club's agenda, there is the priority of contract renewals. The team is doing very well so far in the season and the directors want to reward the key players who have been committed to helping improve the performances.
For the Rossoneri, the idea of anticipating needless stress and drama came after the scenarios of Hakan Calhanoglu and Gianluigi Donnarumma. The club will no longer wait until the last year in a player's contract to start negotiation talks like they have done with the two mentioned above and also with Alessio Romagnoli and Franck Kessie. The Ivorian midfielder is actually set to join for FC Barcelona once this season ends.
Milan Reports can confirm that there are multiple players on the agenda of the AC Milan club directors now.
Rafael Leao:
Rafael Leao's contract expires in June 2024. He is represented by super FIFA agent Jorge Mendes. The former Lille star is willing to remain at Milanello as he feels happy there while the club shows more ambition that matches his dreams: competing to win silverware and playing in the Champions League. The Portuguese left-winger who showed more quality this season is an absolute pillar for Stefano Pioli. Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara want to reward him with a new contract which would be valid until 2026 with a post-tax salary that could reach up to 4 million euros thanks to bonuses. However, there is the legal dispute with Sporting Lisbon on which CAS confirmed that the Portuguese side is owed a 20 million euros compensation. Once that is sorted between the involved parties, a renewal can be finally done.
Ismael Bennacer:
Another player who is highlighted in red in the offices of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara is the Algerian star midfielder Ismael Bennacer. The 24-year-old former Empoli player has shown how much he is key to Stefano Pioli this season as he gradually returns to his top levels after some injuries that hindered his growth and playtime for a while. Currently, he earns somewhere around 1.5 million euros net per season. He may put pen to paper on a new deal with a new salary around 3 million euros net per year. AC Milan management will also want to not include any release clause. (Currently, there is a built-in 50 million euros release clause valid for clubs outside Italy). Talks are underway and will be more frequent once this season ends. His deal is valid until June 2024.
Sandro Tonali:
The former Brescia talent who has now built a name for himself at the San Siro thanks to his great dedication and high work rate, Sandro Tonali, is also up for a contract renewal. At Casa Milan, the management is very happy with the 21-year-old's growth. They truly believe that he can be the future club captain. He has shown maturity and leadership skills despite his young age. Tonali reduced his wages which were agreed upon before signing for Milan last season. What he has done is a gesture that did not go unnoticed. Now, after the season's end, the club will sit down with his agent to talk about extending a deal until 2027 with a better salary.
Pierre Kalulu:
The 21-year-old French jewel of AC Milan, Pierre Kalulu, has stepped up to the occasion everytime Stefano Pioli needed him. He is showing versatility, speed and physical strength that makes him an important asset in the defensive line. He is improving constantly and is displaying great skills next to Fikayo Tomori while club captain Alessio Romagnoli is relegated to sitting on the bench. The French starlet is happy with how things are currently and Milan want to reward him with an upgraded contract. His current deal expires in 2025, Milan will try to extend it by one or two more years.
AC Milan leads the way to build a stronger team:
The Rossoneri directors, Paolo Maldini, Frederic Massara and Ivan Gazidis continue on working on building a competitive squad by confirming the star and key players in Pioli's system, finding accomodation to unwanted ones who do not fit the vision of the coach and signing reliable affordable players who can help the club take the next step. Milan Reports understands that Elliott will continue with the same parameters in view of the summer market: focusing on young stars but also going for experienced elements if there are important opportunities in the transfer window (see Giroud, Kjaer Florenzi and Ibrahimovic). Now in Serie A, more clubs are following this idea that Milan management started a couple of years ago. In fact, rivals Juventus are trying to recreate their club by following Milan's steps in saving costs and managing the financial balance sheet.
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