Milan Transfer Market: Sankhoun Diawara Brings Up Two Legends and Leaves Everyone Speechless

He hasn’t played a single minute in Serie A yet, but Sankhoun Diawara, Milan’s new defender, already has very clear ideas. During his presentation to the fans at the Rossoneri flagship store on Via Dante in Milan, he left everyone speechless with his remarks. Having arrived this summer from Troyes for two million euros (plus one million in bonuses upon fulfillment of certain conditions), Diawara spoke candidly about his emotions during these first few weeks as a Milan player.

“I’m inspired by Nesta and Maldini; when Milan called me, I was honored to join such a great and important club.” These words don’t go unnoticed, especially coming from a defender who has just begun his journey with the Rossoneri. Diawara describes himself as a modern center back—confident on the ball, aggressive, and a fan of aerial duels. And he makes no secret of the fact that Milan’s call took him by surprise: “I was in high demand this transfer window, but when Milan called, it didn’t take me long to say yes.”

His Rossoneri journey has only just begun. Against Torino, he watched the entire game from the bench, while in the summer friendlies he earned his first minutes on the field: the second half of the Chelsea–Milan 3–0 match in Hong Kong and six minutes late in the Manchester United–Milan 2–4 in Wroclaw. These are small glimpses of a new world that Diawara can’t wait to experience to the fullest: “I can’t wait to play at San Siro; I hope to get some playing time. Amorim? We don’t speak the same language, but I’m learning—and he’s one of the reasons that convinced me to come here.”

Adapting to Serie A is his priority, as is settling into his new city: “I haven’t had much time to visit Milan; Italian is similar to French, so I hope to learn it quickly.” Diawara, therefore, introduces himself without hiding his ambitions and with two role models who, on the Rossoneri side of the Naviglio, carry the weight of giants. Milan has pinned its hopes on him to build the future of its defense. For starters, he has chosen to invoke the names of Nesta and Maldini: the field, as always, will be the final judge.