5 possible summer 2023 transfer targets for AC Milan

AC Milan are in the midst of a difficult top-four race in Serie A. The Italian top flight has been the most competitive league in Europe’s top five since the 2019/20 season, which was Juventus’ last as champions of Calcio.

As Milan do their best to make sure they have Champions League football secured for 2023/24, the board will be busy scouring the transfer market for options to upgrade a surprisingly weak squad.

Dortmund CM Mahmoud Dahoud
Mahmoud Dahoud is an impending free agent from Borussia Dortmund who should have plenty of teams in Serie A interested, because he has the technical class and the all-around profile to be an asset in this exciting, open league.

Milan have two great midfielders in Sandro Tonali and Ismaël Bennacer, but they could really use a third option for good measure. The Rossoneri’s depth in midfield is a huge problem, so if Bennacer or Tonali go down, Milan tend to suffer greatly.

While Dahoud has his own injury concerns, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach prospect is clearly not deficient on talent. He has been one of Germany’s most touted midfielders for years. At 27, maybe a move away from the Bundesliga is what he needs to truly become a top player in Europe.

Just last season, Dahoud averaged 1.3 key passes, 1.2 dribbles completed, and 2.7 combined tackles and interceptions per game in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool CM Naby Keïta

Another oft-injured but sublimely talented midfielder in the theoretical prime of his career, Naby Keïta should definitely move on from Liverpool. The Reds need an overhaul in the middle of the park, while the 28-year-old needs a move to revive his football life, because there is no question that in the right situation, Keïta can be one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe.

As a backup in Milan, Keïta would have little pressure but plenty of opportunity to make a name for himself. He is a hard-working player with positives offensively and defensively as a ball-winner and a threat to score from range. Keïta joined Liverpool with a lot of hype after a couple of tremendous seasons for RB Leipzig, including scoring eight goals with seven assists in 2016/17.

It’s easy to forget how brilliant Keïta was in the Bundesliga. If he brings those same qualities while fit in Milan, watch out.

Atlético Madrid ST Álvaro Morata
Olivier Giroud deserves praise for giving it his all for Milan, and he and Zlatan Ibrahimović must be admired for their ability to continue to be useful late into their careers. But Milan 100 percent need a new option up top. Even if Rafael Leão stays amidst transfer rumors, Milan have to sign a striker.

If Leão does stay, Álvaro Morata becomes an even more attractive option. He is one of LaLiga’s leaders in goals and assists per 90. So many people focus on his mediocre finishing that they fail to realize how incredible he is all around. Strikers like Morata deserve more praise for the way they impact the team overall, and there are few better creative strikers than Morata.

Milan could use someone who is positive in the build-up play and can effectively get the ball to Leão. Morata has a strong track record in Serie A, too. As a long-time Juventus player, would he want to join Milan? That remains to be seen, but he certainly wouldn’t be the first man to go from Black and White to Black and Red.

Eintracht Frankfurt CB Evan N’Dicka

More depth in the defense would also be useful for Milan. Fikayo Tomori is a world-class center back, Pierre Kalulu has great talent, and Malick Thiaw is one of the players to watch for the future at the center back position in Serie A. But with Simon Kjær nearing the end of the line, another central defender in Milan would be useful.

Evan N’Dicka might be the best free agent center back available, as Inter Milan star Milan Škriniar is already a lock to join PSG and his teammate Stefan de Vrij is set to renew with the rival Nerazzurri.

Bundesliga star N’Dicka is wanted by several top clubs in European football, but Paolo Maldini and Milan could have a special allure for the Frenchman. N’Dicka has been one of the Bundesliga’s best over the past couple of seasons and brings an element of strength to the attack with the ball at his feet.

Chelsea CM Mateo Kovačić
Although Mateo Kovačić is not a free agent like Mahmoud Dahoud, the Chelsea standout is another great player expected to leave with a view toward a change in scenery. Chelsea are building a youth project, and Kovačić is the best of the players who could be sacrificed to help make way for the next generation of Blues.

With one year left on his contract, Kovačić could therefore be a relative bargain. You would expect a number of top clubs in European football to want the Croatian star, so Milan would not get him for too cheap. But if they want an immediate star in midfield who can aid the team’s ball progression with that extra bit of class, Kovačić would be a dream signing.