AC Milan are looking for a new young striker who can give service for a long time. So they identified Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic, PSV Eindhoven’s Donyell Malen, Torino’s Andrea Belotti and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez. As the transfer target for the future.
AC Milan are currently 2nd at the moment in the Serie A table. They are 6 points behind the league leader Inter Milan with 59 points in 28 games.
The Rossoneri have two center-forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Mandzukic who have a combined age of 73. That shows clearly that they won’t be the answer for the future. Both of them have struggled with their fitness and are unable to keep themselves fit at the crucial moments of the season.
AC Milan Transfer Targets-
Dusan Vlahovic
Born in Belgrade, Vlahović started playing football in “Altina Zemun” football school. Later he made 1 appearance for Red Star Belgrade, but he joined Partizan Belgrade in summer 2014. He signed his first professional contract with Partizan in 2015 as a 15-years-old.
He became the youngest scorer in club history and scored in a cup semi-final attracting interest from Arsenal, Anderlecht, and Juventus. Vlahovic has 20 goals and four assists in 70 appearances for Fiorentina. He is currently having his most prolific season yet, with 12 league goals and 2 assists in 27 appearances.
The 6’3 striker is strong in 50-50 duels and can hold up play, the 21-year-old is excellent with his feet as well. The Serbian has a pretty good pace as well. But his game is still raw like his touch and decision makings.
He would cost around €40 million for AC Milan. Although his contract expires in June 2022 which means he might be available on the cheap if he decides to not renew his contract with La Viola.
Darwin Nunez
Born in 1999 in Artigas, Uruguay. Nunez played for La Luz, San Miguel de Artigas and Peñarol. Then Nunez signed for the Spanish second division side Almeria in 2019. After a season, he joined Benfica for a club-record fee of €24 million.
Nunez is similar to Vlahovic as he is tall and strong and also uses his pace as a weapon. He drops deep to make himself an option and his off the ball movement is a threat. He can be the target man, to win aerial duels. The 21-year-old forward can also make runs in behind.
The 2019-20 campaign was the real breakout for Nunez. He scored 16 goals and added 2 assists in 30 games in the second division for Almeria. With Benfica in the Liga NOS, he has 4 goals and 7 assists in 20 appearances. The Uruguayan could cost AC Milan around €50 million as he has a contract with Benfica until Jun 30, 2025.
Donyell Malen
Donyell Malen played in the youth academy at Ajax for eight years before moving to Arsenal in 2015. He appeared in the Youth Premier League, the FA Youth Cup, and the UEFA Youth League. When he couldn’t break into the First team he left the Gooners to join PSV.
Last season was the real breakout for Malen, he scored 11 goals and 5 assists in 14 games. He has put up double-figure digits three seasons in a row. This is impressive considering he went through a serious knee injury.
The Dutchman can be compared to Rafael Leao. He is quick, skillful, and can play anywhere in the forward line. His range of finishing is also impressive. An Old School fox in the box. He would cost Milan €30m in the upcoming transfer market. The Rossoneri might have to fight other clubs to get his signature.
Andrea Belotti
The 27-year-old Italian international started his career at a local side which earned him a move to Palermo. He spent two seasons there before moving to Torino in 2015. The Italy international has scored double figures six seasons in a row.
The 2016-17 season was the best season of his career which brought him to the limelight, after 26 goals and 4 assists in 35 league games. He has 11 goals and 6 assists in 25 Serie A outings this season.
Andrea Belotti has the tendency to drop deep and build up the game. He evolved his game from a goal-scoring striker to a creative striker. Belotti has a contract with Torino until 2022 and he could push for an exit this summer as Torino are fighting for survival. He could cost around €25-30 million this summer.
The Conclusion:
Dusan Vlahovic or Andrea Belotti would be the perfect fit for Rossoneri and the perfect replacement for Ibrahimovic. Donyell Malen is more similar to Leao so he may not be the right choice for the number nine spot, however, due to his versatility Milan might go for him.
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