At least one signing per department—sometimes even two in certain areas—but the revolution at Milan, sparked by the double appointment of Igli Tare as the new sporting director and experienced coach Massimiliano Allegri on the bench, is in full swing. The priority is the midfield, then the successor to Theo Hernandez, but there’s one department that, for the former Juventus coach, is of vital importance in how he envisions setting up the team: the center of the attack, as pointed out by the 'Calcio Mercato' website.
On AC Milan's Santiago Gimenez...
Allegri needs to evaluate Santiago Gimenez on the training pitch. In terms of technical characteristics and based on what he observed of him in action last season, the ex Bianconeri coach feels that the 24-year-old striker doesn’t fully match his idea of a center forward. Allegri wants a striker who can drop deep and help build play, but who is also quick to move into the box.
Santiago Gimenez will not be at the start of the training camp:
The ex Feyenoord player is more of a finisher—serpentine when released into space—but in the coach’s mind, he struggles to link up play when building from the back. There is no bias, of course, and the over €30 million spent on him in January can’t be squandered. But Allegri needs to see him in action live to properly assess. However, the Mexican striker won’t be present at the start of Milan’s preseason training because he’s still playing in the Gold Cup with Mexico (they’re in the quarterfinals against Saudi Arabia, and the final is scheduled for July 6—one day before the Rossoneri’s camp begins). He will then take a deserved vacation period.
Will AC Milan sign a new striker in the summer transfer window?
Allegri will find himself working without a true number 9 at the start of the training camp since Santiago Gimenez will not be available. That’s why he wants to get a new striker from the market for that role as well.
As per Calciomercato.com, there’s no rush, since the budget will have to be allocated elsewhere, but several options have already been explored. The one leading to Dusan Vlahovic remains the most significant. Also, there is Darwin Núñez who, over time, appears to be getting closer to Napoli, and room for maneuver is therefore shrinking. Milan also like Lorenzo Lucca and Mateo Retegui—both at different costs and with different levels of accessibility—but if Gimenez manages to convince Allegri, the club might settle for less high-profile names.
