In just a few hours, Milan have found the replacement for Malick Thiaw, who will soon become a new Newcastle player: the Rossoneri are finalizing a deal for Koni De Winter, the 2002-born Genoa and Belgian national team defender. The club is ironing out the final details with the Grifone before welcoming the player to Milan for his medicals and contract signing. De Winter, who was also on Inter’s radar, will then officially join the squad.
White smoke today...
As reported this morning by Tuttosport, Milan’s move was a true blitz operation, securing Thiaw’s successor in just a few hours. Massimiliano Allegri will therefore have a new central defender whom he knows well, having seen him develop at Juventus and make his first-team debut in the Champions League during the 2021–22 season, when Allegri himself was on the bench. A basic agreement between Milan and Genoa has been reached for around €20 million, with the final green light expected as soon as today.
But De Winter may not be Milan’s only defensive signing in the final stretch of the summer transfer window.
In recent weeks, Allegri has worked extensively on a three-man defense, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 3-5-2 ended up being Milan’s starting formation this season. Four centre-backs (Gabbia, Pavlovic, Tomori, and now De Winter) may not be enough for the entire campaign, making it likely that the RedBird-owned club will bring in another defender. Ruling out high-cost targets such as Leoni and Comuzzo, Milan are monitoring several options, including Okoli,set to leave Leicester, and Djimsiti, whose contract with Atalanta expires in 2026. That is, unless sporting director Igli Tare opts for an out-of-favor player elsewhere in Europe.
