The Rossoneri are preparing for a substantial investment in a striker, even though Atalanta is not expected to offer any discounts. Colombo, currently the second forward in the squad, is set to depart.
Mateo Retegui
AC Milan is committed to investing in a center forward. DS Tare confirmed this commitment around ten days ago, and the club`s activity in the transfer market confirms that another primary striker will arrive before September 1st. This move might occur after potentially winning the derby against Inter for Parma`s central defender Leoni, a target Furlani and Tare are actively pursuing. The club seeks a penalty-box type striker with characteristics different from Santiago Gimenez, even if it means a significant expenditure. This is the case with Mateo Retegui, whom Atalanta values at approximately fifty million euros, perhaps even more. Milan will attempt to negotiate this figure down, although they are well aware that Atalanta is known for not offering discounts, especially not `summer sales`. This stance is particularly firm for the Italian-Argentine forward, who is in demand (also eyed by Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia) and is considered important despite Atalanta`s already strong attacking options, which will include the recovered Scamacca.
Milan`s Moves for Attack
At Via Aldo Rossi, the club is mindful of not increasing the squad size unnecessarily, particularly in a season without European competitions. Following Abraham`s return to Rome (and subsequent sale to Besiktas), Jovic`s contract not being renewed, and Camarda`s loan to Lecce, the only center forwards currently available are Gimenez and Colombo, with the latter expected to leave. Therefore, another main striker is indeed needed and will be signed. However, the transfer window is still in its early stages, and the priority also includes securing two starting fullbacks, specifically a replacement for Theo Hernandez, whose transfer to Al Hilal is anticipated after the Club World Cup. For the center forward position, a substantial investment is certainly expected. “To create competition with Gimenez, in whom we have maximum confidence,” DS Tare stated last week. Allegri is set to evaluate the Mexican forward, but the request to elevate the level of competition within the squad clearly originates from the Livorno-born coach. Retegui would undoubtedly achieve this. He is seen as a prototype similar to Giroud in terms of characteristics, though the Frenchman`s career is difficult to replicate. Naturally, an agreement must be reached with Atalanta, a club with which Milan previously found common ground (later renegotiated to mutual satisfaction) for De Ketelaere`s move to Bergamo. A similar scenario could unfold this transfer window regarding the Italy forward, who was acquired a year ago for 22 million euros (plus bonuses) and whose value for the club owned by Pagliuca and the Percassi family has more than doubled since then. Milan, having monitored him since his time at Genoa, values him slightly less, around 40 million euros. A gap in valuation exists, and currently, the immediate priority is also to reinforce the defense, needing two starting fullbacks and potentially other defensive additions.
Giovanni Leoni
Pushing for Leoni
Indeed, Milan has not given up on Leoni and has instead intensified contacts with Parma in an effort to preempt Inter. In this case too, an outgoing transfer is deemed necessary, with the Rossoneri management considering Thiaw`s potential move to Como. The German defender is reportedly re-evaluating the possibility of transferring to the lakeside club under Cesc Fabregas, but he has not yet given his consent, and it`s uncertain if he will. Mattia Liberali, whose contract expires in 2026 after spending the season with the Primavera and Milan Futuro squads, could be included in the deal with Parma. Milan has proposed him as a possible makeweight, along with Colombo. The Emilia-based club is assessing the offer without urgency; they are interested in potentially sparking an all-Milanese bidding war for their talented player, whom they would ideally prefer to keep for another season, unless his valuation reaches or exceeds 30 million euros. Milan has intensified negotiations and has no intention of backing down.
