With a lack of goals contributing to AC Milan’s woeful attempt to retain their Serie A title this season and having to depend on a 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic to replace the suspended, but also ageing Olivier Giroud, the Rossoneri have earmarked several attacking options this summer.
Since losing to Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana in January, the Diavolo have registered less than a goal a game and, while their 36-year-old French international has scored a respectable 12 league goals so far, it was never enough to keep up with free-scoring Napoli at the top of the standings.
Long-term target tops the shortlist
Although Giroud could renew for another year, it will not be long before the ex-Chelsea striker follows Ibrahimovic and his likely exit from Milan, and Tuttosport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, have reported that the Milanese giants have been a long-time admirer of RB Salzburg striker Noah Okafor, who has impressed in the Champions League for the Austrians this term.
Argentine-born Mateo Retegui – who scored on his Italy debut against England – has moved up the list of potential targets after six goals in eight games for Tigres already over in South America. With the 23-year-old on loan from Boca Juniors, his parent club may yet see his immediate future in his country of birth, but will struggle to resist a lucrative offer from Europe.
This would be a similar challenge with Folarin Balogun, who has lit up Ligue 1 with an amazing 17 goals during a breakout season with Reims, but the 21-year-old is contracted to Premier League giants Arsenal. Therefore, the England Under-21 international will only be available on loan this summer, if at all.
AC Milan target Atalanta standout
While Atalanta fans will not want to acknowledge reports that Milan have been scouting their young striking sensation Rasmus Hojlund, the 20-year-old has shown that he can cope with Italian football with relative ease since arriving in Bergamo, and can provide pace through the middle of defences that the Rossoneri lack.
Seven Serie A goals in 23 appearances is an excellent return for the Serie A debutant, but after La Dea handed Sturm Graz €17 million to secure his signature less than 12 months ago, they will expect to be heavily compensated to let the Denmark international depart.
Another option could be 2022 World Cup finalist Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt, but similar to Hoijland, he only joined the Bundesliga outfit this season and would take a substantial bid to prise away from the German club.
