Modern football requires spending and experience for success. AC Milan finished this season in scintillating form but still missed out on Champions League qualification. Although there is plenty of young talent in the squad, the Rossoneri must spend on experienced players in hopes of further improvement. Here are a couple of Premier League targets for Milan to pursue.
Two Premier League Transfers AC Milan Could Make
Serge Aurier
Milan has struggled at the right-back position for a few years now. Davide Calabria has not lived up to his early expectations coming out of the Primavera, meanwhile, Andrea Conti has seen a loss of quality due to constant injury.
One of the two will be shown the door during this transfer window. It has been reported that the Rossoneri have concrete interest in Tottenham Hotspur’s Serge Aurier.
The Ivorian international has been up and down throughout his career. What he has, however, is plenty of experience. Aurier’s résumé, since 2014, includes Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain. Simply put, he’s been playing with and against Europe’s elite for years now. He’s also just 27, meaning he is entering the prime of his career at the position.
It’s not likely that Aurier will step in and became a complete game-changer. He struggles at times in the back but is often a force going forward. This has the potential to pair quite well with Theo Hernandez on the left flank. If Milan can secure a top-notch right-winger and have Aurier behind him, the right side of their attack can be quite dangerous in their 4-2-3-1 formation.
His deficiencies, at least in just league play, can be masked by Milan’s strong centre-back pairing for the time being. If anything, though, Aurier presents quite a large upgrade to Milan’s current right-back situation. This deal can certainly work out for the right price and Aurier should be one of the club’s Premier League targets.
Tiémoué Bakayoko
Tiémoué Bakayoko‘s return to Milan simply makes sense. In fact, the club shouldn’t have ever let him return to Chelsea. He’s deemed as surplus at Stamford Bridge but was somewhat of a cult hero during his one year at Milan.
It’s easy to forget that Bakayoko was the recipient of heaving whistling in his early days at the San Siro. That took a quick U-turn, however, as the Frenchman ended up as arguably the club’s top performer in the 2018/19 campaign, one that saw them miss Champions League qualification by a single point.
Bakayoko showed three major qualities at Milan: being a complete workhorse in the midfield, a leadership role, and a desire to improve himself to win over the hearts of the fans. He did all this in a matter of months. He regained his form at Milan and showed why he was an integral piece to Monaco’s Champions League run a few years ago.
With Stefano Pioli’s current set up at Milan, Bakayoko may not be a starter. Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer formed quite the partnership in the midfield double pivot. At worst Bakayoko will be the first name off the bench and keep the two starters on their toes with healthy competition. He also gives Pioli formation flexibility, as Milan’s other midfield option isn’t ideal in Rade Krunic.
The interest from Milan is there. If the player’s desire is to return to the club like the reports say, this must be Milan’s first move of the window. With the current budget and goals, Bakayoko needs to be the club’s main priority in their Premier League targets.
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