According to Gianluca di Marzio, AC Milan are closing in on Bordeaux midfielder Yacine Adli. Negotiations are going well and Milan are looking to complete the deal sooner rather than later.
This, of course, comes after the Josip Ilicic debacle. Di Marzio also mentions that Bordeaux are attempting to sign Fransergio from Braga, indicating that they’re preparing for Adli’s departure.
Milan Closing in on Yacine Adli
The Potential Role
Adli is young, he turns 21-years-old next month. Although he’s obviously not as experienced as Ilicic, he fits Milan’s timeline of youth. This move could very well be an investment for the present and future.
The French youngster is also quite versatile, being able to play most midfield positions. He’s strong and conditioned enough to play as a centre midfielder, but is also creative enough to play as an attacking midfielder. Milan manager Stefano Pioli loves versatility, and Adli brings that to the table.
Last season, in 35 matches for Bordeaux in Ligue 1, Adli scored two goals and provided two assists. The season prior, 2019/20, Adli scored three goals and provided three assists in 21 appearances. The numbers don’t jump off the statistic sheet as out-of-this-world, but Adli is both young and thrown into multiple positions. Over the past couple of seasons he has played as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, left-winger, and as a right-winger. It’s difficult to expect a young player to excel at everything so quickly.
Adli will certainly come off the bench for Milan. He can provide depth behind Ante Rebic on the left wing, but also Brahim Diaz in the attacking midfielder role (assuming Milan don’t move for any other player in this position). In January, when midfield stars Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer are at the African Cup of Nations, Adli may see plenty of minutes as a central midfielder.
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