In 2020 January Milan brought in Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer to Milan to shore up the experience in Milan’s young side. But not only has Zlatan made a psychological impact in the dressing room, he is the top scorer of Serie A in the 2020/21 edition and looks in glittering form last hitting 2 goals against Napoli in a crucial must win encounter.
With Milan participating in 3 competitions and a spate of injuries not slowing down it certainly has shown a deficient side to Milan’s attack although they haven’t suffered in the goals department with Rebic putting in a poor shift at CF.
Considering how Milan are under the watchful eye of FFP and not financially great, a long term successor will be in the works if Milan can get through to UEFA Champions League or higher. Taking these factors into account we have prepared 4 options for Milan to explore in the current winter transfer window.
MARIO MANDZUKIC
The first option that comes to mind is that of Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic. A player who has playing style quite similar to that of Ibra, Manzukic would be a perfect deputy to the man.
Advantages
Mario Mandzukic is a 1.9 meter tall striker and a workhorse. Having played in Jupp Heyneckes Bayern and Simeone’s Atletico Mario is no alien to work rate and pressing. In juventus he played as a Left winger and a second striker behind Higuan or as the main striker ahead of Dybala. At 34 years of age, he brings an immense wealth of experience having participated in multiple champions league finals, won the Serie A and Coppa Italia. Like Ibra, his experience and winning mentality could spread to others. His tall frame helps when opposition crowd out the center and Milan use Donna or Kjaer to ping long balls to Mario who can use his aerial ability and control them.
With Mario being a free agent, it will not take much effort for Milan to sign him and at less cost since it does not involve a transfer fee. A 18 month loan would be perfect for Milan as it would give time for Milan to sign a younger replacement for Ibra and have him integrated into the side.
Disadvantages
But it has been close to 9 months since he has played a competitive match and this can take a toll on this match fitness. Mandzukic would need a while to get fit for matches again. And then the issue of salary, At Juventus Mandzukic earned close to 6M net which is a wage that is way off Milan’s hands. If mandzukic does not take a pay cut then he is a very tough option.
ANDREA BELOTTI
The most popular choice of all Milan fans would be Torino’s Andrea Belotti. A Milan fan since childhood Belotti to Milan has been a saga since the 2017 transfer window. Belotti however decided to stay back at Torino to facilitate his growth but now he seems to have outgrown Torino. 8 goals and 3 assists in 10 games is a good return for any striker but despite these numbers Torino are flirting with relegation. Known for being an opportunist, Maldini will never shy away from these opportunities.
Belotti stands at 1.81 metres is not the most aerially dominant like Zlatan Ibrahimovic is. He makes it up with good positioning and good timing of his leap to score jump past defenders. Over the years Belotti has shown that he can play as a center-forward who links up play between midfield and attack with layoff’s and passes. Having a very creative midfield, Belotti will have no problem linking with our wide players and will thrive on those balls with deep runs and peeling away from defenders making him very difficult to mark.
Advantages
Belotti’s contract at Torino is bound to expire in 2022 and it does not look like Belotti would want to renew and is ready for the next step in his career. Being a self-proclaimed Milanista it won’t be difficult for Milan to obtain the players consent and the player would welcome a move and would be ready to be a deputy to legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic before eventually getting ready to take over from the great man. At 27 years of age, Belotti is in the peak of his career and can give Milan another 5-6 years of his prime. Belotti presents the perfect case of a short term+ long term solution.
Disadvantages
A major disadvantage is that Belotti has not played at the highest level and is quite unproven even though he has been playing top-flight football for quite a while. However I think a few months under Ibra (if we sign belotti in January) can help Belotti make the transition well.
But the biggest problem of it all is the wall called Urban Cairo that stands between. Slapping a price tag of 100M when the player had a good initial season to drive suitors away everything went downhill for both the player and the club since. With no UCL football secured it would be difficult for Milan to make a huge investment on Belotti which could see a potential deal being pushed until summer when Belotti will only have one year left on his contract and his price will come down. A highly paid loan like that for Tonali could be an option but with only 18 months left on his contract it could make for a complicated situation.
Lastly with Torino fighting relegation it has to be seen whether Cairo will sell Belotti, one of their best players, and risk being relegated.
ARKADIUSZ MILIK
Quite a long shot but totally do-able is Arkadiusz Milik of Napoli. Out of favor at Napoli, Milik has only 6 months left on his contract. His last minute move to Roma fell apart and ever since Milik has not played ahead of Osimhen or Petagna. At 26 years Milik is yet to enter his prime of his career and could offer Milan much needed cover upfront.
Advantages
At 1.86 metres Milik is not the tallest striker or as aerially dominant as modern CF’s. Like Belotti Milik times his runs into the box and depends on good positioning for his goal.
Milik is also good with link-up play and can use his hold-up play to bring the wide players or midfielders into play as he is so used to doing at Napoli for Insigne and Mertens.
Disadvantages
Milik who had a great start to his career in Napoli was hindered by 2 ACL injuries which took away a lot of his physical attributes. Milik was never the same again and has been quite injury prone.
Like Mandzukic, Milik has not played regularly since last season and a player with previous injury history it could take quite a while for the player to get back to optimal fitness.
OLIVIER GIROUD
A self-proclaimed Andriy Shevchenko fan, Giroud has been pushed to 3rd choice at Chelsea behind Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner even though he chips in with important goals for Chelsea.
Advantages
A striker who has high workrate and works the channels, physically bullies defenders to make space for wide players and midfielders Olivier Giroud looks like the perfect replacement for Ibrahimovic in the short term.
Giroud also links up well with his teammates putting through balls, layoffs and has excellent hold up play. Having been a world cup, Europa League winner Giroud brings in a wealth experience and would give a boost to Milan’s scudetto as well as Europa League prospects with his goal-scoring exploits.
Disadvantages
Giroud is looking for a move out of Chelsea to be a starter elsewhere and get regular minutes. It is unclear whether Giroud would accept being on the bench as a deputy to Zlatan. Another stumbling block is his 5M net wages which is a magnitude of salary Milan cannot pay for a deputy to Ibrahimovic.
Giroud is also a very sought out striker and Milan will have to stave off interest and present a strong project to Giroud to bring him to San Siro
Conclusion
Milan are definitely flying high at the moment and their record minus Ibrahimovic is P5 W4 D1. Impressive numbers for a team who has a different dimension with Ibrahimovic on the pitch. But with the second half of the season coming, fatigue issues, rough patches will beckon and squad depth will go a long way to cover for Milan and grind through to the season objects
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