To ensure that Milan raise the technical quality and overall standard of their squad, with a view to competing in Europe next season, and to convince Massimiliano Allegri of the project’s progress, having signed a three-year contract last year, the Rossoneri management are already working to secure at least one high-level reinforcement for each department. It will not be easy, but work on defence and midfield has already been underway for several weeks under Igli Tare.
Lotito vs Tare
As has been known for some time, the preferred name of Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri to strengthen the defence is Mario Gila, a Spanish central defender from Lazio, born in 2000, whom the Albanian director himself brought to the Biancocelesti four years ago. According to Gazzetta, the Rossoneri sporting director has already been working with the player and his entourage for some time: in fact, a general agreement has been reached for a four-year contract with an option worth 3 million per season plus bonuses, with the fixed portion increasing year by year. In this specific case, Milan would benefit from the advantages of the “Decreto Crescita”, but must be wary of competition from Inter, Juventus and Napoli, all ready to step in and with whom Milan do not want to enter a bidding war. The biggest obstacle, however, is Claudio Lotito: the Lazio president is a tough negotiator and his valuation will not be less than 30 million euros. Tare has not yet opened formal talks on this front, but considerable diplomacy will be required to convince the Biancocelesti chairman, especially as 50% of the transfer fee would go to Real Madrid.
Advantage Milan
The other name being worked on quietly for months is Leon Goretzka, one of the most attractive free agents of next summer. The 1995-born midfielder will leave Bayern Munich and would welcome a move to Serie A with Milan, seeking a new experience at a prestigious club. Despite interest from Premier League sides and other Italian clubs, Tare moved well in advance and holds a clear advantage over the competition: contacts with Goretzka and his entourage are constant. For now, the German is focused on finishing the season, with the Champions League and DFB-Pokal still at stake: he will make his decision before the World Cup, as relayed via Milan News.
