Charles De Ketelaere and Renato Sanches delays could prompt a complete change of strategy from Milan, as Hakim Ziyech wants the move from Chelsea and Yacine Adli is winning everyone over.
The Rossoneri had expected to splash out on the transfer market this summer after winning their first Scudetto in over a decade and sealing the takeover by American giants RedBird.
However, that deal won’t be finalised until September, so they are still having to work on Elliott Management’s tight budget.
LOSC midfielder Renato Sanches seems to be closer to PSG, while Club Brugge are refusing to drop their €35m asking price for De Ketelaere.
This has prompted a rethink, with Calciomercato.com assuring that Ziyech is eager to make the switch from Chelsea to San Siro.
He’d be available on loan with option to buy, therefore freeing up the budget for a new defender.
Another reason for the change is provided by La Gazzetta dello Sport, who point out that the best performer in pre-season has been Adli.
He turns 22 later this week and was purchased last year from Girondins de Bordeaux for €8m plus bonuses, left in France for one more season to help his development.
It seems to have paid off, because not only is the Frenchman impressing in the midfield role that would’ve gone to Renato Sanches, he is also shining as a trequartista.
That is the position De Ketelaere would take in the squad and which is currently not being fulfilled adequately by Brahim Diaz.
If Adli can be trusted to make the difference already, Milan might be less inclined to invest in those roles.
As a sign of that, Adli is today playing as a trequartista – behind the strikers – in a game between ranks with many of the Milan first-choice XI.