AC Milan’s plans for a major midfield overhaul have hit early roadblocks, as two of their top targets — Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari — may be slipping out of reach due to steep competition and high price tags.
Following the reported €70-75 million sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City, Milan must now reconstruct the heart of their midfield. The situation echoes the club’s 2023 summer, when Sandro Tonali’s big-money departure to Newcastle left a significant void that took time to fill.
This time around, the club has acted quickly. Reports suggest that Luka Modrić could be the first reinforcement. While his experience and vision would undoubtedly add value, the Croatian maestro is nearing 40, making it clear that Milan also need younger, long-term options. Names like Granit Xhaka and Valencia’s Javi Guerra have emerged, but other top targets are proving more elusive.
One of them is Samuele Ricci, the Torino captain and a player long admired by Milan’s management. However, new competition has emerged in the form of Atalanta, who are reportedly targeting Ricci as a potential replacement for Ederson, should the Brazilian move on. With Atalanta’s concrete interest and a more defined role potentially on offer, Milan’s pursuit of Ricci seems to have cooled.
Meanwhile, hopes of signing Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge are also dimming. The Belgian side has slapped a €45 million price tag on the 21-year-old Swiss international, a fee Milan are reluctant to meet. Club Brugge have a history of holding firm in negotiations, as Milan themselves learned during the Charles De Ketelaere saga in 2022.
As it stands, Milan’s midfield revamp remains in flux. While Modrić may soon arrive, the search for dynamic, younger profiles is proving more complicated than initially expected. Unless Milan are willing to meet steep asking prices or shift their priorities, they risk heading into the new season without a fully retooled midfield.
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