AC Milan Transfer Rumors: Players Milan Should Target This Summer

AC Milan have already had a busy offseason since the Serie A campaign ended a week ago.

Six players—Alessandro Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Mark van Bommel, Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso—announced that they will be departing the club to either retire or play a couple more seasons abroad.

On top of that, the club have announced the arrival of three players: Fiorentina midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, Nancy midfielder Bakaye Traore and Cruzeiro teenage goalkeeper Gabriel.

There is still a month until the transfer window opens, but that doesn't mean teams are not talking with each other about moves.

These talks include plenty of rumor and speculation regarding AC Milan.

What moves could be coming for the club over the summer as it prepares to return to the top of Serie A and improve on their quarterfinal appearance in the UEFA Champions League this past season?

Kevin Strootman, Defensive Midfielder, PSV Eindhoven

22-year-old PSV Eindhoven defensive midfielder starlet Kevin Strootman has been a major attraction of several of the world's biggest clubs for some time, but Milan seem ready to beat the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal to the signature of the Dutchman.

According to talkSPORT, Strootman is set for talks with Milan as they look to build a midfield that will keep them covered for years to come.

As mentioned before, Montolivo and Traore are already signed, thanks to Milan's beloved tactic of the Bosman transfer. However, with the departure of Mark Van Bommel, Milan are in need of a defensive midfielder. Massimo Ambrosini has renewed his contract until 2013, but his lack appearances and his age make him a less-than-favorable choice in the lineup.

Strootman's price, to be set by PSV, will likely be around 10 million euros, but with Van Bommel heading back to PSV this summer already, a smaller price could be possible.

Whatever the case, Milan need to act. Strootman won't stay at PSV this summer and they want to make sure they have a defensive midfielder for years to come. This is the man.

Jan Vertonghen, Center-Back, Ajax Amsterdam

The Ajax captain is a player who AC Milan need to make a play on this summer.

With Alessandro Nesta's departure from the club, and the lack of depth at center-back after Thiago Silva and Philippe Mexes, Vertonghen is a player who could come in and immediately increase Milan's chances of Italian and European supremacy.

The 25-year-old Belgian was recently named the top player in the Eredivisie for the 2011-12 season, as Ajax unsurprisingly won their 31st league title.

Vertonghen's contract expires next June, so if Ajax are to cash in on their investment from nine years ago, they need to do it soon.

Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United have all been linked to Vertonghen in recent months, but Milan originally expressed interest after playing against him in the group stage of the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League, where Milan twice struggled against Ajax.

The Premier League looks like the most possible destination, but Vertonghen has expressed interest in Milan before.

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“This is the right moment for me to leave Ajax. It’s not as if I’m desperate to move on, but I feel like I’m ready to join a bigger club. I’m a big fan of the Premier League, but you can’t say no when a club like Milan come knocking.”

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Vertonghen's comments came after claiming that he heard Galliani talking about him. He said he found the words "flattering" and that they even left him "with a semi."

Milan fans like to win and Milan wins with brilliant defending. It's safe to say that a lot of Milan fans would get a semi themselves if Vertonghen joined.

Francesco Acerbi, Center-Back, Chievo Verona

Acerbi impressed down the stretch for Chievo as the Flying Donkeys finished 10th in Serie A, the highest they have finished since being promoted from Serie B in 2008.

The 23-year-old certainly cannot be the only center-back acquired if he comes, which he should because Milan can probably get him for around €4 million, but there are other options.

Davide Astori, Center-Back, Cagliari

Davide Astori was part of the Milan system from 2001 to 2008 and has been linked with a return practically ever since.

Having played for Max Allegri at Cagliari, and with Milan looking for a new starting center-back, Astori could finally be back in red and black and finally playing for the senior team in 2012.

Despite a fractured foot, which kept him out from the end of October through the Christmas break, Astori appeared 28 times in Serie A last season and performed well, despite Cagliari's 15th-place finish after an impressive start.

Could a change of scenery and a bigger club motivate Astori to new heights?

Paulo Henrique Ganso, Attacking Midfielder, Santos

Tiago Ferro, whose company owns 55 percent of Ganso's rights, is in Milan to secure an agreement for the Rossoneri to land the Brazilian midfielder from Santos.

Ganso, along with his teammate Neymar, is one of the most sought-after players in the world, and recent links have him wanted by Manchester United, Roma, Juventus and both Milan outfits.

For over a year, the speculation has turned to primarily Milan and Inter as the two teams vying for Ganso's signature.

Milan is the better positioned team right now, with Champions League football in the cards for next season. Inter will be in the Europa League, while Milan has the Brazilian connection and a famed care for its foreign players.

All things considered, Milan seem to be the only team with a chance for Ganso now.

However, at what cost will Milan's desires come?

The answer may be Robinho. According to a report from Football Italia, Milan are prepared to include the former Santos star in the offer to reduce the €20 million price tag. Robinho has drawn the interest of Santos already in May and his inclusion could make it very easy to get a deal done.

It appears, at long last, that Milan have won the race for Ganso.

Edin Dzeko, Forward, Manchester City

Bosnian national team coach Safet Susic insists that Edin Dzeko needs to leave Manchester City in order to find a starting job elsewhere or else he risks being caught stranded when Roberto Mancini dives into the summer market.

Several strikers have been linked with Manchester City this summer, and if a move is made by the Premier League champions, Dzeko could be sacrificed.

If Robinho goes to Santos in a deal for Ganso, Dzeko could jump into a starting role at the club he supported as a child. Milan were a big player for Dzeko when he was available from Wolfsburg, and now he could be at their fingertips again.

Should they pass on him again?

Luis Suarez, Forward, Liverpool

Liverpool's American owners are reportedly going to cut transfer costs this summer and are looking to balance the books, meaning Luis Suarez may be a casualty a year-and-a-half after his arrival from Ajax.

According to Mirror Football, Suarez and defender Martin Skrtel could be two big names leaving the club for Serie A. Reports have linked Skrtel to Inter and Fiorentina while Suarez is wanted at Milan and Juventus.

Again, Milan will need a replacement for Robinho if he leaves for Santos, and Suarez may be an ideal player for such a replacement. He has also stated that he wants to experience life in a place like Italy, so the deal could be possible.