AC Milan will not sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sporting director Leonardo has confirmed. The Rossoneri must look at other options in attack.
The January transfer window is approaching fast. Among the priorities of AC Milan is the purchase of a centre forward. A new striker must be added to Gonzalo Higuaìn and Patrick Cutrone. Only two strikers are very few for a team committed on three fronts. During this months coach Gattuso had to improvise when one or both of his attacking players where out.
The Rossoneri had practically completed the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the negotiation has been halted for now. Sporting director Leonardo after Milan-Torino declared that Ibrahimovic will not arrive. The Swedish 37 year old was supposed to sign a 18-months contract of nearly 6 million euros.
The new AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis didn’t fully convinced by this idea. The former Arsenal executive has no intention of paying any commissions to agent Mino Raiola and views Ibrahimovic’s age (37 years old) as a problem. However it is Zlatan who seems to have decided to remain in USA.
Perhaps a deal is still possible but AC Milan must consider even other options. The club awaits UEFA’s final rule on the Financial Fair Play breach and in case of a proportionate punishment (read here) sporting director Leonardo should be able to move freely on the transfer market. However, if this deal fails completely, these are 5 alternatives that can replace Ibrahimovic at Milan.
AC Milan will not sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sporting director Leonardo has confirmed. The Rossoneri must look at other options in attack.
Alexandre PATO | Tianjin Quanjian
Another return to past. Just like Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato too is a former player of AC Milan and one of the most beloved among the Rossoneri fans. In, fact the last Serie A title AC Milan has won dates back to 2011 when both Pato and Ibrahimovic graced San Siro.
Paolo Maldini are Leonardo have contacted the versatile 29 year old who would gladly return to Milan. Alexandre has a great relationship with both and is already familiar with the Rossoneri environment. Just like Ibra he wouldn’t need time to adapt.
In China he seems to have found himself and the stats are clear. Pato has scored 36 goals in 60 appearances and has never suffered an injury. He’s at the top of his game and physically as well. Could Milan offer a new chance to the duck?
Alexandre Pato
Well, there is one problem. Pato has a one year remaining in his contract with Tianjin Quanjian and a 25 million euros release clause. The Rossoneri don’t want to invest such a high figure for a player that should be third choice in attack. However there is hope. The Chinese club are reportedly open to negotiate for a low fee and liberate themselves from Pato’s millionaire salary. The chances for a positive outcome look promising.
AC Milan will not sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sporting director Leonardo has confirmed. The Rossoneri must look at other options in attack.
Daniel STURRIGE & Divock ORIGI | Liverpool
As acmilaninfo.com reported earlier (read here full report) Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi have been offered to Milan. The two Liverpool outcasts want to change team in January and would be cheap options for the Rossoneri.
The two strikers are not part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the future and would gladly leave Anfield Road for Milan. The Reds would not oppose their departure but Leonardo is reluctant on this idea.
Origi last week scored the decisive goal in the derby against Everton but plays very rarely. Sturridge instead has seen more game time this season but the English striker does not give physical guarantees.
Daniel Sturridge & Divock Origi
Sturridge becomes a free agent in June 2019 while Origi is available on loan. However, both players don’t convince the Rossoneri management and so far Leonardo has responded negatively to such a possibility. Gattuso also is against temporary solutions and would prefer a player that could stay at San Siro for a long period.
AC Milan will not sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sporting director Leonardo has confirmed. The Rossoneri must look at other options in attack.
Vincent JANSSEN | Tottenham
In Premier League there is also another name that could stimulate AC Milan’s management, a new tack. We are talking about Vincent Janssen, former Netherlands international who is desperately trying to leave Tottenham.
After a scintillating one season with AZ Alkmaar where he scored 31 goals, the English club decided to invest 20 million euros to bring him to London. A poor investment for Tottenham because Janssen has made only 36 appearances since 2016, finding the back of the net on 6 occasions.
Last season he was loaned to Fenerbahce but even in Turkey things didn’t work out. Great things were expected from the 24 year old striker who wants to restart his career with another club.
Vincent Janssen
Vincent Janssen has a contract with Tottenham until 2020 but considering the very tense situation between club and player he can be sold for a very low fee. He is currently out because of a foot injury and should return on the pitch in late December. An interesting idea however a very risky one too.
AC Milan will not sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, sporting director Leonardo has confirmed. The Rossoneri must look at other options in attack.
PEDRO | Fluminense
Leonardo’s shopping in Brazil is guaranteed it will not stop after the purchase of Lucas Paqueta. The AC Milan sporting director is monitoring several promising players in his homeland and one of this is Pedro Guilherme.
An effective goal scorer, a talent with a guaranteed future ahead of him. But like all Brazilians prospects, he has a very high cost. Real Madrid who were favorites to land his services in January were astound by Fluminense’s 25 million euros request.
A considerable figure that even AC Milan are reluctant to spend. Pedro was Campeonato Carioca’s top scorer and interest in him is high however the player has been out for some time due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Pedro Guilherme
The 21 year old is expected to return in late February something that complicates even more his potential purchase. AC Milan can not wait that long so negotiations may be postponed for the summer.
