The futures of Brahim Diaz, Sergino Dest, and Aster Vranckx are in doubt at AC Milan and the board are assessing whether any of these three footballers are worth keeping beyond the 2022/23 season.
Rossoneri coach Stefano Pioli has rarely had a full-strength team to choose from this season, and due to the number of injured players on the sidelines, the lack of depth in the squad has been exposed.
Currently out of the Champions League spots on goal difference, AC Milan have not shown the form of a team capable of remaining in the battle after heavy defeats to Lazio and Sassuolo. The struggles on the pitch will put Rossoneri directors Frederic Massara and Paolo Maldini to the test as they try to build a competitive squad for the future.
AC Milan attempt to lower the price for Brahim Diaz
Tuttosport reports that AC Milan want to reduce the price to purchase Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid on a permanent deal once his two-year loan at the club ends in June.
Los Merengues had set the price to buy the 23-year-old outright at €22 million, but the Rossoneri consider that figure to be too high, and they are speaking to the Spanish giants about lowering it to around €13-15 million.
Diaz has scored 15 goals and supplied 10 assists in 102 competitive matches since joining on an initial one-year loan in 2020 before it was extended for another two seasons. However, the Spaniard has struggled for consistency during his time in Italy.
Dest certain to return to Barcelona at the end of the season
While AC Milan are trying to deal with Real Madrid regarding a deal for Brahim Diaz, they are not entering any of those talks with Barcelona for Sergino Dest.
The United States international has failed to impress in eight Serie A appearances and the Rossoneri have no intention of signing the full-back on a permanent basis or extending his loan deal.
Injuries to Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez presented Dest with opportunities to prove his worth but he has shown difficulty understanding the tactical nuances of Italian football.
Future of Vranckx at AC Milan under a cloud of uncertainty
Having arrived on loan from German club Wolfsburg in the summer, 20-year-old Aster Vranckx has also found playing time limited at AC Milan throughout the 2022/23 season. Although Pioli has given him more opportunities in recent weeks, he has not a lasting impression as yet.
The Belgium youth international has made eight appearances and supplied one assist, but the Rossoneri are not likely to pay Die Wolfe €12 million for the midfielder and they believe that the money can spent on other players instead.
AC Milan has a decent Belgian contingent consisting of Charles De Ketelaere, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Divock Origi, but the presence of his countrymen has not been enough to elevate the performances of Vranckx or build his confidence.
