AC Milan sacrificed Botman for new attacking midfielder
AC Milan have decided not to spend for a new defender this summer. The priority is a new attacking midfielder.
Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara have been given 50 million euros to spend this summer in order to improve the squad according to recent reports. If that figure is confirmed, the two AC Milan directors need to be creative and spend wisely when the summer transfer window opens.
Not only that but the Rossoneri probably need to make a couple of sacrifices regarding their transfer targets. Tuttosport reports that Sven Botman was the first big sacrifice of AC Milan. After having followed the towering Dutch defender for nearly eight months, the Rossoneri were forced to abandon the negotiations table.
Milan could not match Lille’s 40 million euros asking price and Botman eventually accepted a transfer to Newcastle United. Due to their limited transfer budget the Serie A champions have prioritized investments in attack. More precisely, under such restrictions, AC Milan have decided to make Charles De Ketelaere their top summer target.
The performance of Brahim Diaz was overall disappointing last season an AC Milan judge that a new attacking midfielder is an urgent matter for the squad. De Ketelaere perfectly fits Elliott’s transfer philosophy that will be continued by RedBird. The new star of Belgian football is young (21-years-old) but already experienced and with vast room for improvement. De Ketelaere ended last season with 18 goals and 10 assists. Excellent numbers that demonstrate he is ready for a bigger stage.
Another important factor in AC Milan’s decision on Botman was the emergence of Pierre Kalulu. The French defender formed a rock-sold partnership with Fikayo Tomori. Coach Stefano Pioli is very pleased with what the former Lyon is doing and does not want to interrupt his growth. In addition, Simon Kjaer has fully recovered and is ready to challenge for a spot in Pioli’s starting eleven.
A limited budget doesn’t leave Paolo Maldini many choices. A new centre back will arrive this summer but it will probably be a young player that will cost less that €10 million. The majority of the summer transfer budget will be dedicated to the signing of a new attacking midfielder with Charles De Ketelaere the only name that AC Milan are currently considering.
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