AC Milan's head coach Stefano Pioli is looking forward to tonight's clash as he wants to start with three points, ideally. But, he is aware that the team will take some time to gel very well because many have arrived while several also left. It's a new Milan that continues the path started years ago. But, a few more mercato operations are also not excluded.
As confirmed by Tuttosport, Marco Pellegrino is traveling to Milan and will arrive this evening just as the Rossoneri will be playing in Bologna. Tomorrow, there will be medical examinations and the signing of the contract until 2028. Now, concerning incoming players, there are two key points, one of which involves the striker position. In the squad, Milan has the ever-present Giroud and Okafor ("happy with Okafor's performances in that role," Pioli stated), with Origi remaining on the exit list and Colombo's situation uncertain. The sensation of the last few hours is that the young Italian striker might also stay. The true targets for the Rossoneri were Broja from Chelsea and Ekitike from PSG: Chelsea is not open to a loan for the former, and the latter seems to be headed to Germany's Eintracht in exchange for Kolo Muani. Therefore, with these two names excluded, Milan believes there are no better options than what Pioli already has at his disposal, namely Lorenzo Colombo. Monza is still keeping an eye on him, but the 2002-born player could stay if opportunities don't come knocking at Via Aldo Rossi.
Then there's the significant matter of the new deputy for Theo Hernandez. The transfer of Ballo-Tourè, as it can be said with a play on words, has been "in play" throughout the summer but hasn't materialized yet. After interests and refusals from Turkey and Fulham, the club closest to the Senegalese full-back now is Werder Bremen. The Germans are offering Milan 4 million, but the player continues to hesitate, even though Pioli now considers him outside the technical project. Only when the current number 5 for the Rossoneri bids farewell to Milanello, can the management finally close the deal for Riccardo Calafiori, an Italian full-back born in 2002 who played for Basel last year. In any case, Pioli could also make use of the Primavera talent Andrea Bartesaghi, who has performed very well in this preseason. On the other hand, things remain stalled regarding Saelemaekers: the Belgian is of interest to Betis, but the Andalusians have not yet made an official offer, as relayed by Milannews.it.
