Milan Transfer Rumors: Rossoneri Target Cerci, Aubameyang Wants Return

Milan has recently shored up its managerial situation, opting to keep current boss Massimiliano Allegri after speculation that the two would part ways, and can now focus on the summer transfer window to bring in some fresh faces. 

Allegri looks to have settled on a 4-3-3 and will target players that can slot into this system. A centre-back is still needed, though Cristian Zapata was signed on a permanent basis, as is a new goalkeeper and another midfielder.

The goalkeeper signing can be put on hold if needed, as 35-year-old Christian Abbiati should have another quality season in him, while Marco Amelia can provide decent backup. Centre-back is of the utmost importance and given Milan's need for more creativity in the midfield, another midfielder is required.

They are close to signing Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli, but he must earn his spot. Since he should cost around €6 million, Milan won't be financially crippled by the signing to the extent where they can't afford another midfielder.

Another area that could use some reinforcements is at right-wing and Milan have made Torino winger Alessio Cerci a summer transfer target.

Cerci, a 25-year-old Italian international who will represent his country at the Confederations Cup in about two weeks, enjoyed a fantastic season at the Turin club. He turned in eight goals and a number of assists—a compilation of which can be seen here.

He's a dynamic left-footed winger who is normally fielded on the right, allowing him to cut inside on his favored left and rip shots on goal or whip in a cross.

Cerci is a composed finisher, has the skill and pace to accelerate past defenders and the quality to deliver the final ball, capable of carving out solid chances for Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy.

His passing can let him down—he completed only 67.2 percent of his passes—though to be fair, he often tries some high degree of difficulty passes, zipping balls across the penalty area or lobbing in a cross that well-placed defenders can deal with.

He doesn't offer the defensive work-rate that El Shaarawy does, but il Faraone looked somewhat fatigued by the end of the season and that could certainly be due in part to his willingness to track back.

Allegri incessantly played Kevin-Prince Boateng on the right-wing, but the Ghanaian turned in a number of good performances in his natural central midfield role towards the end of the season and the Rossoneri coach should permanently move him back to that role.

Robinho made just 11 starts under Allegri and has been linked with a move back to Brazil for some time now. Bojan is also set to leave, further limiting the options on the right flank.

French starlet M'Baye Niang will likely enter the season as the favored starter on the right-wing and while he is a prodigious talent who has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career, the 18-year-old could use a little more time to develop.

Adding Cerci would boost the Milan attack greatly and he even has the versatility to play as a centre-forward, something Milan may need early next season after Giampaolo Pazzini suffered an injury that could keep him sidelined for up to six months.

Cerci's delivery on corner kicks is top class as evidenced in the aforementioned compilation and he would also give Milan a dangerous, left-footed free-kick practitioner, something they currently lack in their starting XI.

Valued at roughly €7.5 million, Milan are looking to include Polish centre-back Bartosz Salamon in the deal for Cerci. Salamon joined Milan in January from Brescia and has not appeared in a match since the signing.

His future likely won't be decided until after the Confederations Cup, which culminates at the end of June, unless Adriano Galliani is able to strike a deal quickly.

In other news, Saint-Etienne star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang admitted he wants a return to the San Siro. The Gabonese international has been sensational in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 19 goals and adding nine assists in 37 league matches.

Aubameyang was on the books at Milan from 2008 until 2011, appearing in just two matches for the San Siro outfit. He was loaned to Dijon, Lille, Monaco and Saint-Etienne before the latter signed him on a permanent basis in 2011.

Since joining the French club, he scored 41 goals in 96 matches in all competitions, including 39 goals in 82 matches over the past two seasons.

He's been linked with a host of European giants including Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus, Inter, Real Madrid and Chelsea, yet intimated he would prefer a return to the Rossoneri.

Considering the other clubs involved, Aubameyang's transfer fee will likely skyrocket from the €15 million he's currently listed at, to the point where Milan couldn't afford him.

With the Pazzini injury, Milan's options at striker are limited. Aubameyang featured predominantly at centre-forward this season, but in just two appearances at right-wing, Saint-Etienne's No. 7 scored four goals and had one assist.  

Whoscored also has him playing at right attacking-midfielder, a position that parallels very closely with right-wing, and in his seven matches at the position, he scored five goals and contributed three assists. It is a very small sample size but Aubameyang looks capable of excelling on the right flank, whilst being able to perform at a high level as a centre-forward. 

They have multiple areas where improvement is needed before they're able to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title and investing that much money in Aubameyang—who does look to be worth every penny—could hinder Milan's ability to strengthen other positions.

The move for Cerci looks to be the preferred and more realistic one, and his addition would be a step in the right direction.

EDIT: During Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi and Allegri's dinner to determine the latter's future, the former Italian Prime Minister told Allegri he wants Milan to play a 4-3-1-2 next season, a change that was alluded to earlier in the season. Should Allegri switch his tactics, Cerci wouldn't be the right fit for the formation as he's a natural wide player, a position that the formation does not accommodate. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could fit as one of the two centre-forwards, however, his price will likely put Milan off.