AC Milan are starting the next phase of their new project under the direction of RedBird Capital, as they have already replaced former Scudetto-winning manager Stefano Pioli with recent Lille coach Paulo Fonseca.
Now, the task is changing the actual makeup of the squad and ironing out weaknesses, which prominently includes finding a new striker to replace Olivier Giroud.
Milan also want to overhaul their defense and add one more standout midfielder, and it looks like the Rossoneri have found their top option in the latter case.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Alessandra Gozzini, Milan have a 25 million euro offer on the table to Monaco for star midfielder Youssouf Fofana that the Ligue 1 side will “most likely” accept.
Fofana reportedly prefers joining Milan over the several Premier League clubs interested in him, which includes eighth-placed Manchester United.
There have been rumblings that star midfielder Ismael Bennacer could leave AC Milan this summer, in which case Fofana would end up being the Algerian international’s replacement.
Fofana is now coming off two very strong Ligue 1 seasons. The 25-year-old registered four goals and four assists last season with 3.1 combined tackles and interceptions per game and 2.2 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per match.
Milan have offered the Frenchman a three-year contract with an additional option for a fourth season, and if a deal were to be completed, it would happen after Euro 2024.
It looks like Milan are the favorites for Fofana and have the right offer in place to appease both the player and Monaco as a club. There isn’t much standing in the way of a transfer, barring a sudden change of heart from the player or an egregious offer from one of those Premier League sides.
Fofana has been Milan’s top option in midfield for several weeks, and he is a younger, well-rounded midfielder who can help the Rossoneri in all phases.