Despite still lacking a full sporting hierarchy, with the choice of the new head coach set to be Ruben Amorim, the first players being linked with Milan ahead of next season are beginning to emerge on the transfer market. The current squad, which failed to qualify for the Champions League after losing the final match against already-safe Cagliari, must be strengthened in every department with players who can be useful in the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system.
According to Tuttosport, in attack attention is also being paid to the move that could bring Niccolò Zaniolo in, whose agent was seen yesterday at Casa Milan. The forward was recently signed permanently by Udinese, who acquired him outright from Galatasaray.
The buyout is done, but the former Roma player does not appear to be satisfied with his current salary, as his agent Claudio Vigorelli explained a few days ago to Gianluca Di Marzio's website:
"We are certainly happy with the impact Nicolò has had at Udine and with a very positive season, but it will now be necessary to reach a new agreement on his salary so that his stay can truly be built on solid foundations. The situation that brought Nicolò to Udine last summer was characterised by a race against time in the final minutes of the transfer window, and consequently the contractual terms of Nicolò’s salary, in the event of a permanent buyout, did not reflect his real value. However, in agreement with Udinese we chose to sign and complete the deal with the promise that we would sit down, before the option to buy was exercised, and agree new terms. In recent days we have had extensive talks with Udinese to find a balance on the figures, but despite the efforts made by both sides, an agreement has not yet been reached. What I can say is that, from a sporting point of view, the partnership between Zaniolo and Udinese worked very well last season. The player is loved by the fans. Today Nicolò feels bitter and disappointed with the situation that led to this buyout, but we remain waiting for discussions with Udinese so we can clarify positions, in the hope of reaching an agreement that satisfies both parties."
Could Zaniolo join Amorim's AC Milan?
The season that ended less than a month ago was absolutely positive for Zaniolo, who led Udinese with six goals between Serie A and the Coppa Italia. In Amorim’s new Milan, which will play with two attacking midfielders behind the centre-forward, a left-footed player like the former Roma man, who already knows Italian football well, could be useful and may also help with squad registration rules. Wearing the shirt of the Friulian side, after some difficult loan spells in recent seasons, Zaniolo has finally rediscovered himself and shown flashes of the great talent he displayed at Roma before suffering two cruciate ligament injuries in his knee.
