The AC Milan team of last season is in a hurry to become great again: the hell of a season without European competitions is a harsh punishment, but it offers the advantage of a new league campaign to be dedicated exclusively to climbing the Serie A table.
The declared goal is the Scudetto, and the price of paradise is at least one hundred million: that’s how much, between midfield and attack, the club plans to spend in order to immediately return to the top.
Moving from eighth place to the top positions requires a record-breaking leap (or nearly—Conte’s last Napoli jumped from tenth to first), so it’s better to rely on record holders: Luka Modric, winner of six Champions Leagues, Ardon Jashari, best player of the last Belgian league season, or even Granit Xhaka, unmatched in his 137 caps for the Swiss national team. After all, the new sporting director Tare had made it clear: "After Luka, we’ll get another couple of players of that calibre."
AC Milan's relaunch:
Jashari’s trophy cabinet displays only one title: the Belgian Cup won this year with Club Brugge. Alongside that, the personal accolade of Player of the Year in his first season in the Jupiler Pro League, following his beginnings at Luzern. Out of his 52 appearances this season, eleven were in the Champions League, with his first encounters against Italian clubs: a double clash with Atalanta, ninety minutes against Juventus, and even earlier, the trip to San Siro against Milan. The player has officially asked the club to return to Milan—this time to wear the Rossoneri shirt. In short, he gave in to Milan’s courtship and asked Brugge for a separation after just one year together. Tare had already gone public: first offer of 27 million plus three in bonuses. Yesterday, he raised it to 30 million in cash, with the usual add-ons. All without hiding: in Belgium, they claim to have seen him personally in Bruges yesterday, though he denies it, writes Gazzetta dello Sport.
It’s not certain that the Rossoneri's latest offer will be enough to get a positive response, but the feeling is that it will eventually come. More diplomatic work will be needed. Club Brugge today is asking for a fixed part of 35 million euros plus at least three in bonuses, now fully aware of Jashari’s will. The gap exists but is absolutely bridgeable. Allegri hopes the wait will be shorter than what Pioli endured for Charles De Ketelaere, who was burdened by expectations and never managed to shake off the excessive pressure. Jashari's case is different, if only because of his role: no one is asking him to score goals but to fill the midfield.
What are Ardon Jashari's traits?
At twenty-two years old, he’ll be able to follow the guidance of more experienced leaders like Modric. Then be inspired by instinct and enthusiasm: even with the national team, where Ardon played the last two friendlies after two brief appearances in 2022. A talent who can enhance his qualities in the Rossoneri shirt, which is why the ownership is willing to authorize a significant expense: Jashari is a left-footed holding midfielder, modern, with both attacking runs and defensive break-up play. He doesn’t (yet) have Reijnders’ goals but already shows more competitive grit. With the same determination, he made it known to his club that he wants to move to Milan.
And Granit is calling too
Xhaka shares the same desire: despite the chance to play in the Champions League with Leverkusen and wear the captain’s armband, he would prefer a new experience in the Rossoneri shirt. The terms of the deal are similar: the player has accepted a three-year contract at three million euros per season, while Leverkusen continues to demand more than the ten million offered by Milan. Another open front, on which Milan is advancing, determined to reach the finish line. And it’s not the only line on which the management is positioned: among the targets is also Javi Guerra, midfielder of Valencia and Spain U21, valued at around 25 million. AC Milan is waiting for the resistance to weaken.
Credit: La Gazzetta dello Sport
