AC Milan`s pursuit of Christopher Nkunku sparks further questions regarding their precise criteria for a striker and the true extent of Massimiliano Allegri`s influence on the club`s transfer strategy.
The summer transfer window has proven frustrating for the Rossoneri, particularly in recent weeks, as they struggle to secure a new attacking player.
The need for a new forward arose after the departures of Tammy Abraham and Luka Jovic, whose loan and contract terms ended respectively. Moreover, Allegri had explicitly stated his preference for a robust, tall target man to lead the line.
This situation makes their current choices even more perplexing. While players like Victor Boniface and Conrad Harder might align with that profile, Nkunku, by contrast, does not seem to fit the required specifications.
Nkunku began his career as a midfielder and is capable of playing on the wing, boasting strong dribbling skills. However, should he join San Siro, he would become the shortest forward in the squad.
Nkunku: Not the Striker Allegri Desires for Milan
Allegri might persist in subtly requesting the acquisition of Juventus`s outcast Dusan Vlahovic, yet AC Milan continues to grapple with a persistent issue that has plagued the club for years.
The primary challenge lies in the absence of a clear, singular authority overseeing the strategic direction.
Igli Tare`s arrival has undoubtedly enhanced the club`s ability to sell players for substantial profits; securing significant fees for Malick Thiaw and Noah Okafor demonstrated a masterclass in profitable dealings with Premier League clubs.
Despite this, Tare still lacks the autonomy to acquire new star players without first obtaining approval from CEO Giorgio Furlani.
Furthermore, for exceptionally large transfers, Furlani himself must seek authorization from RedBird owner Gerry Cardinale to commit significant funds.
Within this convoluted decision-making hierarchy, the coach`s tactical requirements consistently fall to the bottom of the priority list.
AC Milan might be assembling a team, but the crucial question remains: for whom? If Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao were merely temporary options, one would expect the club to give more weight to Allegri`s input, yet this does not appear to be the case.
Furthermore, this is a coach who favors a three-at-the-back formation, yet he has only four central defenders in the entire squad, and even fewer full-backs.
With the transfer deadline set for September 1, all these matters should have been resolved much sooner.
