Rafael Leao Stays at Milanello: Napoli in His Sights
Official confirmation has arrived from the Portuguese Football Federation: Rafael Leao will not join the national team during this international break. The Milan left winger will remain at the Milanello training centre to continue his recovery, with one clear goal: being available for Massimiliano Allegri ahead of the crucial match against Napoli, scheduled for Easter Monday.
This is welcome news for the Rossoneri faithful, as the Portuguese star’s presence could prove decisive in a fixture with enormous implications for the league standings. Leao will work closely with Milan’s medical and athletic staff over the coming days to regain peak condition.
Loftus-Cheek Edging Closer to a Return for the Napoli Game
Positive news also surrounds Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The English midfielder, who has been dealing with a jaw injury, has a good chance of being called up for the Napoli encounter. The protective device he has been wearing to shield the affected area could allow him to return to action, or at least take a place on the bench. For Allegri, the British playmaker would represent an additional option, bringing quality and physicality to the heart of the midfield.
Training Resumes Wednesday Amid International Call-Ups
Milan will return to training on Wednesday afternoon, following the convincing win against Torino. Allegri granted the squad a well-deserved rest period. It should be noted that Milanello will be rather quiet, as several key players have been called up by their respective national teams: Mike Maignan, Adrien Rabiot, Christian Pulisic and other squad members are away on international duty. Specific tactical preparation for the Napoli game will ramp up the following week, once the full group is back together.
Transfer Market: No Substance to Fagioli Rumours
In recent hours, rumours had surfaced suggesting Milan were eyeing Nicolò Fagioli, the Fiorentina midfielder, as a potential summer target. The whisper, picked up from sources close to agents and intermediaries, was however firmly denied by the club. The response from the Rossoneri camp was clear-cut: a definitive no, based on the fact that the squad is already well-stocked in that area of the pitch.
Fagioli, born in 2001, has made 27 Serie A appearances this season for Fiorentina, recording one goal and three assists. Decent numbers in what has been an overall disappointing campaign for the Viola, although they did manage a commendable draw against Inter in their most recent outing.
Goretzka on the Radar: Milan in the Race, but Competition Is Fierce
Far more concrete is the trail leading to Leon Goretzka. The German midfielder at Bayern Munich, whose contract is set to expire, is a profile that greatly appeals to Milan and to Allegri in particular. An experienced, high-quality player, his 189 cm frame would add height and physical presence to the Rossoneri midfield.
This Bundesliga season, the 1995-born midfielder has featured in 24 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists, showing he has regained consistency. Confirmation of Milan’s interest has also emerged from Germany: renowned transfer expert Christian Falk reported the link between the Rossoneri and the German midfielder on his blog.
However, the operation is far from straightforward. Competition is extremely fierce: reportedly at least 7-8 clubs have made concrete moves for Goretzka, including Juventus, Inter, several Premier League sides and Atletico Madrid. Adding further complexity is the financial aspect: the German’s salary in Bavaria is very high, and convincing him not to renew with Bayern would require a significant offer, potentially including a signing-on fee for his representatives.
Milan, however, are pursuing the deal with real determination.
Allegri’s Summer Blueprint: Four Key Signings Requested
Looking further ahead, Massimiliano Allegri has communicated his summer priorities to the Milan board. The Livorno-born coach has identified four areas requiring reinforcement:
- A centre-back – The leading candidate is Mario Gila from Lazio, though other options remain on the table.
- A midfielder – Goretzka represents the ideal profile, but alternatives of similar calibre are also being evaluated.
- A winger – A quality wide option is needed to provide greater rotation across both flanks, supporting players such as Alexis Saelemaekers and the other wide attackers in the squad.
- A centre-forward – Perhaps the most critical piece of the puzzle. Milan are lacking a striker capable of netting 18-20 goals per season, a focal point who can convert the team’s creative work into decisive match-winning moments.
The evidence from the Torino game speaks volumes: the scorers were defender Strahinja Pavlović, and midfielders Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana. A clear indication of how much Milan need a reliable goal-scoring reference point up front. Leao and Pulisic can continue to excel as wide attackers in a 4-3-3 formation, but the central striking role demands a heavyweight profile.
It is worth noting that should key players such as Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Christopher Nkunku or Niclas Füllkrug depart in the summer, the number of required signings could rise to six or seven. The aim remains to maintain a squad of 23-24 players, essential for competing effectively across three competitions: Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia.
Allegri’s Numbers Inspire Confidence
Despite the criticism that has accompanied parts of the season, the numbers support Allegri’s work. Milan have reached 63 points with a full eight matchdays to spare compared to last season, when the final tally was exactly 63. This means the squad has significant room to further improve their league position between now and the end of the campaign.
A statistic that inspires confidence and optimism heading into the final stretch and a summer that could deliver Rossoneri fans an even more competitive squad.
