Milan target midfield reinforcements: eyes on Rabiot

Massimiliano Allegri is back at the helm for AC Milan, and his return has already injected new energy into the Rossoneri's transfer market plans. After signing a deal until 2027 (with an option through 2029), the former Juventus manager met with newly appointed sporting director Igli Tare for initial strategic talks. Now, after a brief stay in Tuscany, he’s expected back in Milan to kick off the club’s summer rebuild.

Top of the agenda is the future of Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder remains a key figure at Milanello, but Manchester City have ramped up their interest. Talks are underway, and a fresh bid is expected soon, with Milan valuing the player at over €70 million. Reijnders is keen on the move, tempted by the chance to work under Guardiola, double his current salary, and continue playing Champions League football.

To fill the potential gap in midfield, Allegri has turned to a familiar face: Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman, now at Marseille, has long been admired by the Italian coach for his blend of physical presence and tactical awareness—ideal for the 4-3-3 system Allegri envisions. A release clause in Rabiot’s contract—believed to be around €10 million—could facilitate the deal. However, wages remain a sticking point: the midfielder currently earns €3.5 million net, rising to over €5 million with bonuses. Milan had approached Rabiot last summer but failed to reach an agreement.

While a new deep-lying playmaker remains a priority, Milan have already mapped out other midfield options. Seko Fofana is seen as the starter on the right side of the three, with Yunus Musah as his main backup. Ruben Loftus-Cheek will need to prove his worth during pre-season to retain a place in the rotation. One to watch is Raphael Onyedika, a 2001-born talent from Club Brugge, previously monitored during scouting trips for De Cuyper—another player on Milan’s radar as a potential successor to Theo Hernandez.

Meanwhile, Rafael Leao remains central to Allegri and Tare’s project. The Portuguese star is viewed as the technical leader of the squad, and the staff believe next season could be his true breakthrough in terms of consistency. However, Bayern Munich have placed him at the top of their wishlist. No official offers have been made yet, but any move would require negotiating around the €175 million release clause, forcing the German giants into a serious bidding process.

Lastly, the future of Kyle Walker is unclear. The English full-back joined on loan from Manchester City in January but hasn’t been included in any talks regarding Reijnders. At present, Milan seem unlikely to trigger a permanent move due to his high salary. When asked by Sky Sport in the Spanish GP paddock whether he’ll stay at Milan, Walker gave a cryptic answer: “Will I stay at Milan? Yes, yes… maybe.” Evaluations are ongoing.