According to Fabrizio Romano, AC Milan have reached an agreement with Crotone to sign forward Junior Messias. The squad has been in need of more depth up front to replace the void left by Hakan Calhanoglu and Jens Petter Hauge and they have acted swiftly on this deal.
Of course, there is risk attached to acquiring a 30-year-old player with very minimal top-flight experience. On the other hand, Messias has been steadily improving and played well last season.
AC Milan Bring in Junior Messias
The Player and the Fit
Messias has quite the story. Originally from Brazil, he moved to Italy within the past decade and worked in food delivery. During that time, he played football at an amateur level in hopes of earning a contract in the Italian system.
Eventually, that happened, and he worked his way up from Serie D all the way to Serie A in a matter of four years. His Serie A experience came with Crotone last season. He scored nine goals and provided four assists in 36 matches.
He’s also quite versatile. The majority of his top games came in a secondary striker role, but Messias can also play on the right-wing. Milan have three strikers now, so it’s likely that Messias will find time as an attacking midfielder or on either wing position.
Messias won’t be a starter and is not the ‘big’ name Milan faithful hoped for. With that being said, he clearly has a strong work ethic and will surely fight to be the best player he can be. Milan has done a lot in this transfer window, especially considering that the team is still operating with a lack of funds.
Milan added the most gruelling and competitive competition in football this season with Champions League qualification. They prioritized depth with their market, which is what this move was, and it may turn out to be wise.
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