AC Milan sports director Massimiliano Mirabelli and coach Gennaro Gattuso have traveled to Russia to personally scout some of their top transfer targets.
Mirabelli and Gattuso are in Russia and should attend at least three games. That is Russia-Saudi Arabia (Thursday 5 pm), Portugal-Spain (Friday 20:00) and Argentina-Iceland (Saturday 15:00). The first will be the inaugural game of this 2018 World Cup.
Aleksei Miranchuk
According to Il Corriere dello Sport, the special player to be observed in the Russian national team will be Aleksei Miranchuk.
Miranchuk is a 22 year old attacking midfielder of Lokomotiv Moscow able to play as winger too (on both sides). Already a Russian Premier League winner he has played more than 140 games scoring 20 goals despite his young age. The Russian is considered as one of the most promising prospects in his homeland and commands a price tag of around 20 million euros.
If he manages to impress Massimiliano Mirabelli and coach Gattuso he can become one of AC Milan’s first signings this summer. It’s all up to him.
Gelson Martins
As for the big match between Portugal and Spain, surely Gattuso and Mirabelli will monitor the performances of Rossoneri’s striker Andre Silva with great attention. Even though Mirabelli has stated that the club wants to keep the Portuguese striker much will depend on the club’s market strategies after UEFA’s ruling.
But the Portuguese isn’t the only person of interest. His teammate Gelson Martins, 23 year old right winger of Sporting Lisbon, is being considered for the role of vice-Suso. Martins is one of best players in Portugal and has attracted the attention of many big clubs, including Arsenal. Author of 13 goals and 13 assists this season he commanded a price tag of 45 million euros price tag just a few days ago.
The best thing about Gelson Martins: he can join any team he likes this summer for free. The player has asked to terminate his contract with Sporting Lisbon after a violence episode with the fans and clash with the club president. A huge talent for 0 euros, what a opportunity.
Alvaro Odriozola
In the Spanish national team Massimiliano Mirabelli will have a look on Odriozola. The talented 22-year-old right back of Real Sociedad has transformed to first team regular in the last two seasons with excellent results.
Real Madrid, PSG and Monaco are also interested in his services. AC Milan in that position already have Davide Calabria and Andrea Conti (expected to return on the pitch in September) so the Basque defender is not a priority. However if Conti’s physical problems continue to persist Mirabelli doesn’t want to be caught off guard and is already identifying alternatives.
Cristian Pavon
In Argentina-Iceland the duo will certainly follow with interest the performance of Lucas Biglia, Rossoneri’s midfielder, but will also watch his talented teammate Cristian Pavon. The 22 year old winger of Boca Juniors it’s not expected to be a starter in the World Cup opening game of Argentina but AC Milan will follow his progress throughout the tournament.
Boca Juniors have priced Christian Pavon at 25 million euros with may European big clubs interested in him. Pavon is very similar to Suso but the Argentine can also play as left winger and even second striker. His purchase would certainly be a big hit for the Rossoneri.
Johann Berg Gudmunsson
The last target plays with the Icelandic national team. It’s amazing how Iceland is becoming a regular in international competitions in recent years and that’s also thanks to players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
The 27 year old winger plays in England with Burnley and has 67 caps with the national team. Gudmundsson has a 10 million euros price tag and represents a cheap alternative. His signing does not exclude the purchase of other targets in the same position. A possible back-up with considerable experience.
