Here’s how AC Milan’s defence could change ahead of next season, with Ralf Rangnick’s full list of transfer targets for the back line.
AC Milan’s defense is in a state of emergency today. Between injuries and risk of suspension, the players available to Stefano Pioli appear counted.
But regardless of the current moment, the AC Milan of the future should start from a different defensive department, renewed almost completely.
Tuttosport reports today all the transfer targets on Ralf Rangnick’s notebook. Milan’s probable future manager already has in mind the talents with which to revolutionize the Rossoneri’s back line.
Milan defence, the centre backs sought by Rangnick
It starts from the central defenders. AC Milan has only one certainty and its name is Alessio Romagnoli. Unless proposals impossible to refuse arrive, the Rossoneri captain will lead again the squad next season.
To be evaluated the permanent signing of Simon Kjaer, who has two months to convince the management. Instead, both Musacchio and Duarte, already considered at the end of their adventures, are out.
Therefore, at least a couple of signings will be needed to reinforce the defence. However, one of the main targets is already out: PSG’s baby talent Tanguy Kouassi has signed for Bayern Munich despite the high interest of the Rossoneri.
Rangnick is closely following Freiburg’s German Robin Koch. Born in 1995, the defender is valued at least 15 million euros. The German centre back is one of the most promising defenders in his homeland.
The Rossoneri are always attentive on Kristoffer Ajer, the Norwegian stopper who plays for Celtic Glasgow. However, the demands of his club are very high: at least 30 million to let him leave.
Melayro Bogarde, the Dutch defender of Hoffenheim (nephew of the former AC Milan player Winstone Bogarde) and Nikola Milenkovic of Fiorentina are two other interesting names. Bogarde, 18-years-old, this season made his debut with the first squad of Hoffenheim and his contract expires in one year. With the Viola, an operation involving Lcas Paqueta cannot be excluded.
Milan defence, full backs change
Something will change on the side lanes too. The first mission will be to find a left-back who can represent a suitable alternative to the flamboyant Theo Hernandez.
For this quest Rangnick is looking in the Bundesliga again. He likes Evan N’Dika, the French defender of Eintracht Frankfurt. Club with which Milan boasts an excellent relationship. N’Dika is primarily a centre back who plays also on the left but his price tag is above 20 million. Alternatively, there is Philipp Max of Augsburg.
The young Pierre Kalulu from Lyon has already arrived on the opposite side but he may not be enough: Rangnick should ask for another full back, especially in case of farewell of at least one between Calabria and Conti. The favorite remains Denzel Dumfries, captain of PSV Eindhoven. But significant economic effort will be needed since PSV decided against signing Ricardo Rodriguez on a permanent deal.
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