Milan Transfer Market: A Revolution on the Left—Two Names to Strengthen the Wing
Among the reinforcements Ruben Amorim suggested to Gerry Cardinale during Thursday’s meeting at Milanello is a left winger. This request stems from potential departures and the current pecking order on that flank: Estupiñán is in fact on the market, while Bartesaghi does not yet seem to have fully convinced the Portuguese coach. For this reason, Milan is focusing on two players in particular: Nuno Tavares and Nicola Zalewski. The Portuguese player, who has been linked to the Rossoneri in the past, is under contract with Lazio through 2029 and would represent an option offering experience and quality on the left flank.
The path leading to Zalewski is more complex, but also particularly interesting. The former Inter player could in fact leave Atalanta, and his name could be part of a broader deal involving Milan. On the table is the possibility of a swap deal involving Samuele Ricci, a midfielder highly regarded by Maurizio Sarri. A solution that, if it were to materialize, would allow the Rossoneri to strengthen their left flank while simultaneously bringing in a player favored by their management.
Meanwhile, Rafael Leao is also on the market. During Thursday’s meeting between coach Ruben Amorim and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale, the Portuguese star’s name also came up; he could leave the Rossoneri by the end of the summer transfer window. Before the World Cup, the Portuguese international had announced in at least three different interviews his desire to leave and pursue a new adventure, but after the tournament he had partially backtracked, due to a lack of offers and the arrival at Milanello of his compatriot Ruben Amorim.
According to Sky, however, Amorim himself has given the green light to the player’s transfer, as Leao is not central to the club’s future plans. The former Manchester United coach does not consider Leao essential and would not oppose his transfer, although he would have no problem keeping his compatriot and even playing him if the outgoing transfers do not materialize. According to rumors, Milan has lowered the asking price for the Portuguese international, which is no longer set at around 50–60 million euros but at 40 million—closer to the offers made in recent weeks by several clubs, including Galatasaray. Meanwhile, the player is currently injured and will not feature in the final friendly against Manchester United; his debut in Serie A against Torino is also in doubt.
Galatasaray was among the first clubs to make a concrete move for Leao, presenting the Portuguese player with a contract offer of 12 million euros net per season—nearly double what he currently earns with the Rossoneri. However, talks between the Turkish club and Milan had stalled over the transfer fee, with Cardinale initially holding firm on his demand of 60 million. Previously, Fenerbahçe had also come forward with a loan offer that included an option to buy, but Leao himself had put the brakes on the deal, as he was not convinced by the idea of moving to Turkey. The Rossoneri’s No. 10 remains set on the Premier League, though no concrete offers have emerged from that league so far.
