Milan overhauls attacking lineup under new manager Amorim
Transfer News·19 June 2026·3h ago

Milan overhauls attacking lineup under new manager Amorim

Source: Cult of Calcio

AC Milan are preparing a major squad restructuring following the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach. Several key players are expected to depart San Siro during the summer transfer window, including veteran midfielder Luka Modric, who will leave to captain Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot and forward Santiago Gimenez are also likely to exit, while the futures of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, and Christopher Nkunku remain uncertain as Milan pursue an attacking overhaul.

Amorim is reportedly keen to retain Leao, his Portuguese compatriot, and plans to meet with the 27-year-old winger after the World Cup to convince him to stay. The pair may form the cornerstone of Milan's new attack. However, Milan's primary concern is addressing a shortage of goals—the club scored just 53 times last season, fewer than any other top-six finisher in Serie A. Santiago Gimenez has underperformed since arriving from Feyenoord, prompting Milan to seek a new striker. Robert Lewandowski's potential move to Milan appears unlikely, with the Barcelona forward reportedly agreeing terms with MLS side Chicago Fire instead. Milan have turned attention toward Udinese's Nicolò Zaniolo, though the 26-year-old netted only five goals in 32 Serie A appearances last season.

Christian Pulisic, who has not scored in the league since December 2025, faces an uncertain future with several Premier League clubs reportedly interested. Christopher Nkunku, in his first season at Milan, may return to Chelsea under new boss Xabi Alonso, though a move to Roma is described as a more plausible option. Francesco Camarda has been recalled from his loan spell at Lecce and could feature more prominently.

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After the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the new manager, Serie A giants Milan are preparing for a major squad overhaul. With several elite players set to leave San Siro, the former Manchester United boss is expected to have his hands full once the transfer window opens for business in July.It’s now a near-certainty that Luka Modric won’t stay. Indeed, the veteran midfielder bid farewell to the Rossoneri before heading to North America to captain Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In addition to the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, Milan could also part ways with Adrien Rabiot and Youssouf Fofana.Massimiliano Allegri is keen to lure Rabiot to Napoli, while Fofana may quit the club after failing to live up to expectations. Further changes are expected in the attacking department, with Rafael Leao’s future hanging in the balance. The same applies to Christian Pulisic, who endured a rough second half of the 2025/26 campaign, and Christopher Nkunku, whose first season in Serie A left a lot to be desired.Santiago Gimenez could be another notable departure after an embarrassing season. Let’s break down the inevitable attacking revamp at San Siro.Rafa Leao sagaSought by several Premier League top teams, Leao appears to be one step away from ending his seven-year association with Milan. However, according to Calciomercato, Amorim could meet the 27-year-old face-to-face when he returns from the World Cup to convince him to stay put.Leao had a disappointing season under Allegri. Frustration reached a boiling point after Milan failed to secure Champions League qualification, culminating in the player’s cryptic message about his future last month. Though the Portuguese winger’s exit looked like a foregone conclusion until recently, Amorim’s arrival could flip the script.Despite his underwhelming form over the past 12 months, Leao remains one of the most highly-rated forwards in European football. Meanwhile, Amorim reportedly believes he can reignite his compatriot’s career and build his new-look Milan attack around him.New strikerA lack of a prolific striker was Milan’s undoing under Allegri. No team to finish last Serie A season in the top six had scored fewer goals than Milan’s 53, highlighting the need for a new No.9. Gimenez has flopped since joining the club from Feyenoord, and it won’t be surprising if the Rossoneri try to cash in on him in the coming months.At the same time, his exit would make room for a new center-forward. However, it won’t be Robert Lewandowski, who’s on the verge of leaving Barcelona as a free agent. Heavily linked with a move to either Milan or Juventus, the Polish superstar seems to have no intention of moving to Serie A.Instead, he has reportedly agreed personal terms with Major League Soccer franchise Chicago Fire. After falling short in the race to sign Lewandowski, Milan have turned their attention toward Udinese talisman Nicolo Zaniolo, who has just recently completed a permanent move to the Bluenergy Stadium from Galatasaray.Though Zaniolo would be a good fit for Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, Milan would be naive to think the Italian forward can solve their scoring problems. The 26-year-old had an average season at Udinese, to say the least, netting just five goals in 32 league appearances.In the meantime, Milan have brought Francesco Camarda back to the club from a season-long loan at Lecce and could hand him a more prominent role next term.Time for Pulisic & Nkunku to go?Pulisic has been one of Milan’s standout performers since arriving from Chelsea in 2023, establishing himself as one of the fan favorites at San Siro. However, the USMNT forward last scored in Serie A in December 2025, and his prolonged dry spell has inevitably fuelled speculation about his future.The 27-year-old’s influence in the final third gradually faded during the second half of the season. Furthermore, his sometimes comical misses cost Milan dearly in some matches. With his contract expiring next summer, this could be Milan’s final realistic opportunity to negotiate a meaningful transfer package.Currently away on World Cup duty with the USMNT, Pulisic has drawn inquiries from several elite European clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Therefore, a return to the Premier League could be on the cards for the US captain. Nkunku might also be on his way back to England, only a year after leaving Stamford Bridge.New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has reportedly spoken to the club over the Frenchman’s potential return to West London, though this information should be taken with a grain of salt. On the other hand, a move to Roma sounds like a more plausible option, especially now that the Giallorossi are back in the Champions League.Milan could sign Sporting CP winger Francisco Trincao to fill the void, yet they’ll need to make some sales first. Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football Related posts: Sergio Conceicao Explains Tactical Gamble in Milan Hard-Fought Win Milan Not Scoring a Lot Despite Their New Fab Four Leao Linked to Manchester United Ahead of Milan Retool High-Performing Milan Forward Eyes Two-Year Renewal Amid Stunning Revival

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