Milan Transfer Market: The Big Name Missing from the 2026 World Cup Is on the Rossoneri’s Radar

After last season’s bitter ending, Milan is looking ahead once again and envisioning a high-profile attack to kick off Ruben Amorim’s new coaching era. Just a few days after the official confirmation of Gonçalo Ramos’s arrival, another name has begun circulating persistently: Phil Foden, a notable absence from the 2026 World Cup despite being considered one of English soccer’s brightest talents.

According to rumors reported by Sport Mediaset, the idea stems from an internal assessment: if Rafa Leao were to leave Milan, the Rossoneri would be ready to replace him with a player considered to be of equal caliber. Foden, 26, is exactly that kind of player: quality, creativity, versatility, and technical ability that make him one of the most sought-after players in Europe. At the moment, there are no concrete contacts with his representatives, but the interest is genuine and widely shared within the Rossoneri camp.

The broader context could work in favor of the club based on Via Aldo Rossi. Manchester City’s new coach, Enzo Maresca, is reportedly targeting Enzo Fernandez as a top priority—a signing that could further limit Foden’s playing time. This situation, combined with the player’s estimated market value of around 60 million and a salary that is not prohibitive by Rossoneri standards, makes this a more realistic possibility than it might seem.

Foden, who was left out of the World Cup held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, earns about seven million per season—a figure in line with Leao’s. It is precisely the Portuguese player’s potential departure—which he himself hinted at before the World Cup—that could pave the way for a deal that, until a few weeks ago, wasn’t even on the table in Milan and the surrounding area.