Milan search for striker to bolster attack for next season – here are five options

There are some worrying reports circulating if you are Milanisti ahead of the 2015-16 season. Mattia Destro and Giampaolo Pazzini look set to leave the club, and teams such as Liverpool and Monaco are lining up bids for top scorer Jérémy Ménez.

Fernando Torres is away at Atletico Madrid until summer 2016, and while Alessandro Matri returns in June it is tough to imagine him as a part of long term plans.

As a consequence of this theoretical revolving-door situation surrounding the Rossoneri, the club has also been linked with a host of potential transfer targets to replace the production. In no particular order, I have produced a brief fact file for the five targets Milan should be casting an eye over in the coming weeks.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimović

The big Swede is probably at this moment in time the most discussed of the five I will be listing, and although his agent Mino Raiola has said the chances of him returning to Milan are “virtually impossible”, we all remember the time he said Zlatan would be staying at Milan and Mario Balotelli would not be joining back in 2013.

In terms of leadership of the forward line, it is exactly what Ibra brings to the table, and he has been a consistent producer just about everywhere he has been. Boasting good goal scoring records in Holland, Italy, Spain and now France, it appears that Zlatan is ageing like a fine wine, and still has plenty left in the tank.

His first spell in Milan was a memorable one for all the right reason. In his first season in 2010-11, he scored 14 in 29 on loan from Barcelona, but notched 13 assists in his most productive season to date. The following season he amassed 28 goals in 32 appearances, and was the focal point of a lethal attack that saw glory return to the Rossoneri.

But bringing Zlatan back will not be easy and although he has hinted at being open to a return, his wages are a major stumbling block. Ibra is owed €15million this year alone, and while it may not be difficult to agree a transfer fee, he would need to take a substantial pay cut to even be considered an option.

Keep an eye on this situation, but I feel this is more hope than expectation.

2. Radamel Falcao

Another high-end target for the Red and Black includes Colombian striker Falcao, who has struggled at Manchester United, scoring just 4 goals in 25 appearances on loan from Monaco.

The 5ft10” forward will most likely be returning to Monaco in the summer with United not exercising their right to buy for a fee of £43.2million. With the signing of Memphis Depay, it appears Radamel is surplus to requirements in Manchester, but Monaco are looking to offload him nonetheless to cut their wage budget.

Scoring 41 in 51 for Porto as well as 52 in 68 at Atletico, he has a habit of taking teams to the Champions League, which is exactly what Milan need. Prolific and opportunistic when on top of his game, many feel the Serie A is yet another league he can conquer.

El Tigre’s mother has said he is not happy with being left on the bench, so this move could make sense for him, and Galliani should be able to negotiate a cut-price fee, with wages again being the only hinderance but Doyen Sport, who are expected to be Milan’s transfer advisors regardless of what happens with the future of club, could help as they represent the striker.

This transfer could become a lot more likely if Ménez departs for Monaco, with Jérémy possibly used as a part-exchange, or at the very least an influencing factor on Falcao’s destination.

3. Ciro Immobile

Widely regarded as a ‘flop’ having signed for Borussia Dortmund last summer, Immobile will be looking for a fresh start and pastures new come the summer. A move that looked good for him hasn’t really come to fruition, scoring just three goals in the Bundesliga in over 20 appearances.

Enjoying great spells at Pescara in 2011-12, scoring 28 in 37, and most notably Torino, where he scored 22 in 33, winning the Capocannoniere (Golden Boot), marking the first time since 1977 that a Torino player had won the award.

A controversial transfer to Dortmund ensued, in which Torino and Juventus’ co-ownership agreement wasn’t resolved and the Torino President Urbano Cairo accused Juve of violating FIFA transfer regulation.

Perhaps this affected the player, and he just hasn’t settled into Germany fully, despite scoring four Champions League goals this campaign. Immobile should be open to a move back to Italy, but Borussia will probably want to redeem the transfer fee or make a very minimal loss on their €24million fee.

Will Milan rise to that kind of asking price? It remains to be seen, but he could become a very useful asset to the team.

4. Gabriel Barbosa

The Brazilian wonder-kid Gabriel Barbosa has made a name for himself as a target for teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Making his debut at 16 years of age, Barbosa already has nine goals for Santos despite being just 18. His growing reputation earned him a call-up to the Brazil U20s squad last year, and since he has netted 4 in 12 for the young yellows.

Another season may do his development good, but the thing that really boosts Milan’s chances of securing his signature is the departure of Robinho, freeing him to sign with Santos for no fee. Such an occurrence will make the Brazilian club look at any transfer offer from Milan in a better light, but they will still command a serious fee with the wealth of teams interested.

Don’t expect him to slot straight in and score 20 goals a season, as he will need a season or two to adjust, but that shouldn’t detract from the excitement of being linked with a player like Gabriel, a real promising talent.

5. Christian Benteke

This one is perhaps the most unrealistic and a bit of a wild-card (I had to make this controversial somehow!), but if the rumours are true, Milan have made enquiries about the Belgian striker, along with Roma.

A powerful, fierce striker with pace and strength, he has been something of a revelation for Aston Villa. Netting 41 goals in just 87 appearances for the Villains, Benteke has attracted lots of interest and this could be the time that Villa cash in on their prized asset.

The asking price is apparently £30 million, something which could price the Rosseneri out, and without a takeover it is difficult to see that kind of money being spent. Plus, Christian Benteke would have a right to demand superstar wages to tempt him away.

Serie A could be a league where he has great success, as his physicality means he should be involved in the play constantly, but there are worries about his injury records which should be reflected in the price.

To reiterate, this one is unlikely, but who knows, it could just happen as developments move forward.

Furthermore, it would be wrong to dismiss the possibility that players such as M’baye Niang (although primarily a winger at Milan) could come back and make an impact. The Frenchman has five goals and three assists at Genoa, where he has spent the second half of the season.

Everyone across the spectrum of Milanisti supporters seems to have different opinions on who would be the ideal target, but one thing is for sure it is tough to deny that any of the aforementioned would be considered a major coup given the lack of Champions League football.

The sky is the limit with the bank full, and Milan is still a giant club, so there is no reason that one of the five mentioned wouldn’t be interested in a move, especially if the managerial situation results in Ancelotti or maybe even a surprise in the shape of Guardiola being appointed.

Article by Oliver Fisher