Milan Transfer Market: A New Era Begins—Leao’s Replacement Has Been Chosen. Cardinale Wants to Secure Three Star Players
These are crucial days for Milan, which has just announced its new management structure following the departures of Furlani, Moncada, Tare, and Allegri. Ruben Amorim will now play a crucial role in strategic transfer decisions, operating almost like an English-style manager-coach. The Portuguese coach has already given clear indications regarding the transfer market, particularly to fill the void left by Rafael Leao, one of the stars set to depart.
According to reports in the Portuguese newspaper Record, Amorim has added Pedro Gonçalves, an attacking winger from Sporting Lisbon, to his wish list. The player, valued at around 30 million euros, could be financed by the sale of Leao, who has reportedly been contacted by English and Turkish clubs.
Pedro Gonçalves, born in 1998, can also play as an attacking midfielder; he is quick, fast, and has a knack for scoring: last season, he scored 13 goals and recorded 8 assists in 27 league matches. However, he is under contract until 2030, and it won’t be easy to convince Sporting to let him go.
Leao is on his way out, but owner Gerry Cardinale hopes to retain other star players who were expected to leave the club following Allegri’s departure and last season’s disappointments. According to *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, RedBird’s CEO, with Ruben Amorim’s full consent, wants to keep three key players—Mike Maignan, Luka Modric, and Adrien Rabiot—for at least one more season.
The French goalkeeper has not yet made up his mind about his future, despite his recent contract extension. Further complicating the picture is the social media farewell from Claudio Filippi, Allegri’s longtime goalkeeper coach, who wrote on Instagram: “After just one year, my adventure at Milan—a glorious club supported by extraordinary fans—comes to an end.” Filippi had forged a very strong bond with Maignan, becoming one of his main daily points of reference, and his departure could give the Rossoneri’s No. 16—who is being targeted by Chelsea—further cause for reflection.
Luka Modric is being lured by Real Madrid (a role on Mourinho’s coaching staff is already waiting for him), while rumors suggest Rabiot could follow Massimiliano Allegri to Napoli.
