The Rossoneri squad needs a genuine leap in quality
Beyond every debate about the dugout and the boardroom, there is one fact nobody can ignore: Milan need serious, targeted reinforcements to return to playing an absolutely leading role in Serie A and in Europe. This is not a matter of playing style or tactical formation — it is a question of the pure quality of the players available.
The numbers say it all: since Olivier Giroud left Milanello, the Rossoneri have not had a centre-forward capable of reaching 15–20 goals per season. The Frenchman brought not only goals but also that quiet leadership and clinical finishing in front of goal that are so hard to find on the market — and even harder at reasonable prices. Since his departure, Milan’s attacking department has survived on scraps and inconsistent loan deals.
The Leão question: sell, but smartly
Among the biggest question marks of the Rossoneri’s summer is inevitably Rafael Leão. The Portuguese winger, who has worn the Milan shirt for seven years, sits at the centre of increasingly persistent rumours about a possible departure. In itself, the sale of a player — even one of his calibre — would not be a disaster: cycles come to an end, and renewal is necessary.
The real issue, however, is who would take his place. Replacing a player of Leão’s level with an inferior profile would mean lowering the squad’s competitiveness still further. And Milan, right now, cannot afford any more steps backward.
Modrić and the project to build together
A signal of ambition came with the arrival of Luka Modrić, the Croatian maestro who chose Milanello for one last great adventure as a player. The Real Madrid legend would not have made this decision lightly: the presence of Igli Tare as sporting director — who pursued him with conviction — and of an experienced manager like Massimiliano Allegri are said to have played a decisive role in the midfielder’s choice.
This detail is far from trivial: it means that technical and managerial decisions directly influence the club’s ability to attract talent. A sudden change of coach or sporting director could therefore have repercussions on players already at the club, putting carefully built equilibria at risk.
What Milan really needs for next season
To build a competitive squad, Milan need to act on multiple fronts. First and foremost, an internationally calibrated centre-forward capable of delivering goals consistently — a profile that has been missing for too many years now. Secondly, quality and depth across every department: it is not enough to buy, you must buy well, with a precise strategy and without wasting resources on profiles that add no real value to the squad.
The model to follow is that of clubs that have built their competitiveness over time through well-considered choices, project continuity and group cohesion. Dismantling and rebuilding every summer is the perfect recipe for standing still — or worse, for going backwards.
The summer of the turning point: an opportunity not to be wasted
The summer 2026 transfer window looks set to be one of the most important moments in recent years for Milan. The choices made over the coming weeks and months will define the club’s trajectory for at least the next two seasons. This is the moment to be far-sighted, bold, and above all consistent with a vision that has too often appeared unclear.
The Rossoneri faithful know it well: Milan have the resources, the history and the prestige to return among Europe’s elite. All that is needed is the will to invest in the right way, to stop dispersing energy on endless revolutions, and to build something that lasts. Because Milan deserves more than the same story told every year. It deserves a new chapter, written with ambition and with the quality it takes to make history.
