Ruben Amorim has not yet officially taken his seat on the Milanello bench, but his first transfer market signals have already arrived loud and clear. The Portuguese coach, expected in Milan at the start of July, has set two absolute priorities for the ownership: do not sell Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot. Two pillars, two veterans, two players who represent the beating heart of the current Rossoneri squad.
Amorim’s Demands: The Defence Starts with Maignan
Mike Maignan is not just Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper — he is the captain, the voice of the dressing room, a recognised leader on and off the pitch. He recently renewed his contract and is currently playing at the World Cup with France, one of the tournament’s frontrunners. His retention is considered by Amorim a non-negotiable foundation on which to build the new technical project.
The risk, however, is real. With no Champions League football — a competition Milan will not be part of next season — top European clubs could come knocking with serious offers. Should bids of €30 million or more arrive, would the club be able to resist the temptation? The answer will largely depend on how firmly Gerry Cardinale decides to back Amorim’s sporting vision.
Rabiot and the Allegri Puzzle: An Intricate Situation
The situation around Adrien Rabiot is more complex. The French midfielder has proved himself a top-level player, capable of making the difference at crucial moments. Amorim wants him — that much is clear. But several variables cloud the picture.
The most significant involves Massimiliano Allegri, widely tipped to take charge at Napoli: Rabiot has long been considered one of his trusted players, and it cannot be ruled out that the midfielder may want to follow him to Campania. Keeping a player who has his eyes elsewhere is never straightforward, and Milan’s leadership will need to work carefully to convince him to stay and embrace the new Amorim era.
A Squad to Build: Loan Returns and Ongoing Assessments
Amorim has not yet drawn up his full transfer wishlist. He first wants to study the available squad in depth, assess the players returning from loans — including Samuel Chukwueze, Ibrahim Musa, Filippo Terracciano and Warren Bondo — and determine who can genuinely be part of the project. Ismael Bennacer looks likely to leave, as does Bondo in all probability. The verdicts on Musa and Chukwueze remain open.
The starting point, however, is unambiguous: Maignan and Rabiot are untouchable. On this, Amorim has been categorical. It is now up to the ownership and the new management structure to turn this technical stance into concrete reality — a challenge that is far from simple given the club’s current context, but an important statement of identity from a manager who, before even beginning, wants to protect his best players.
For more on Milan’s new management structure, read our article: AC Milan’s New Management Structure: Almstad in Charge of Player Trading, No External Sporting Director.
