The final credits roll on the summer transfer market in which Milan operated deeply according to its philosophy: no reckless spending, but targeted acquisitions that increase internal competition among players and also raise the overall value of the squad.
RedBird’s Milan follows a clear market strategy, continuing the approach taken in previous years by the Elliott fund: they identify the profile, set a spending limit, often reach an early agreement with the player's entourage, and then patiently work on the selling club. This strategy has paid off handsomely with Pavlovic, who brings new characteristics and strengthens the defense, but also with Emerson and partially with Fofana.
Key players remain. But, there are still uncertainties at Milanello
In the overall assessment of the work done by Furlani, Ibrahimovic, and Moncada, their success in keeping the key players of the squad—Maignan, Theo Hernandez, and Leao—also plays a significant role. During a summer in which these players were linked daily with all the major European clubs, retaining them was crucial. However, the work is only half done: in the case of the two French players, winning the most important battle, the contract renewals, will be essential.
Milan, regret over Joshua Zirkzee?
Morata is the captain of the European champion Spain and a player with extensive and successful experience in the Italian league. For 13 million euros (the value of the release clause paid to Atletico Madrid), he remains an incredible deal. The arrival of Abraham just before the final whistle completes the department with different characteristics that could also become complementary. These are two important additions, but they don't erase the disappointment of having worked so long for a talent like Zirkzee, only to have him slip through their fingers just before the window closed. Joshua represents the present and the future, the class of San Siro, a move with vision. Now he risks becoming a sad regret.
Regarding Milan's exits...
Moving on to the chapter of departures that left much of the fanbase disappointed: the missed sale of Bennacer could and should have been handled better, primarily by the player. The exits of Pobega, Adli, and Saelemaekers, though on loan, were necessary, while Simic's departure was painful.
Overall, Milan achieved almost all of the objectives they set for both incoming and outgoing transfers, but with the feeling of having assembled a midfield full of central midfielders where a playmaker for a two-man midfield is missing.
