Scouting AC Milan Transfer Target Milan Badelj

AC Milan’s future remains unclear. Club president Silvio Berlusconi has spent much of the past few months in negotiations with a Chinese consortium over a potential takeover, though as yet there has been no resolution.

The prolonged discussions, which have experienced several delays, are now threatening to skewer any potential transfer-market activity which the Rossoneri may wish to undertake.

In turn, this could undermine the rebuilding process being steered by recently appointed head coach Vincenzo Montella.

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While the takeover talks continue, Milan will have to self-finance any signings they make. And one target they have been repeatedly linked to is Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj.

So far this summer, the club’s additions have been in defence and up front; Argentinian left-back Leonel Vangioni and striker Gianluca Lapadula have arrived from River Plate and Pescara, respectively. With the midfield still in need of reinforcement, Badelj could be just the tonic.

For his part, Montella has not taken issue with the lack of transfer activity and told reporters (h/t Football Italia): “We have clear ideas, I am in direct contact with the club. We know where we have to strengthen. I am not worried, I work with the players that I have available. I can’t lose time with hypothetical situations.”

The 42-year-old has now overseen three friendlies as Milan coach and has experienced the widest possible range of outcomes within that period. A 2-1 win over Bordeaux was a positive way to begin pre-season, and there was no shame in the following 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich. The most recent fixture, against Premier League outfit Liverpool, ended in 2-0 defeat.

However, results are not the main purpose of these friendly games. Primarily, Montella is using them to put work done on the training ground into practice. He wants to embed his philosophy to the greatest extent possible before Serie A gets under way on August 21 with a home game against Torino. And, judging by the team’s performances, there are promising signs in this respect.

In all three friendlies, Milan’s play has been noticeably different in two specific aspects: their approach to possession and in defensive transitions.

In the attacking phase, Montella’s side have shown a clear desire to build moves from the back. Incorporating the goalkeeper, the central defenders and the deep-lying midfielder, they have opted to try and resist pressure through short passes, movements and combinations as opposed to playing direct balls at the first sign of difficulty.

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And when transitioning to the defensive phase, Milan have often attempted to counter-press high up the pitch, getting men around the opposition ball-player in order to provoke a mistake and win back possession immediately and closer to the opposition penalty area.

The concepts are clear: retain the ball, use it effectively and, whenever it is lost, attempt to force a turnover at the earliest possible opportunity. And, while the recent display against Liverpool suggested there is still plenty of work to be done before these ideas are fully absorbed, the players seem to be relishing the task at hand.

Indeed, when asked about the new regime, Giacomo Bonaventura told Corriere dello Sport (h/t Football Italia):

"

We’re learning new things in a relaxed atmosphere, and everyone seems calm, focused and driven. When Montella and his staff explained to us their working style, I immediately had the sense that it was interesting.

There have been quite a few changes in terms of workloads, nutrition, and also tactics. Our first impression is that of having a coach who knows his job, who leaves nothing to chance and who certainly doesn’t have an ordinary approach like that of many of his colleagues.

Now I understand why his teams have always played well. He is our extra value.

"

Badelj would be an influential signature in that he possesses several characteristics and qualities that could be significant for Montella in implementing his style of play effectively with Milan. And the two have worked together in the past, with the coach overseeing the player’s arrival at Fiorentina in August 2014.

In his first season in Florence, the 27-year-old—who previously played for Hamburg in the Bundesliga and for Dinamo Zagreb in his home country—initially struggled to establish himself in the starting lineup. But, having gradually asserted himself on the Viola side, he flourished last season under Paulo Sousa.

In 2015-16, Badelj became a key player for Fiorentina in the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system, operating as one of the two central midfielders, usually alongside Matias Vecino. As both a defensive screen and a builder of passing moves, he thrived and rightfully earned a place in the Croatia squad for UEFA Euro 2016 as a result.

He proved influential in this summer’s tournament, too, playing in every minute of his country’s campaign and performing particularly well in the shock 2-1 win over Spain.

In that match, he made 50 passes, four tackles and three interceptions per WhoScored.com, showcasing his ability in all phases of the game.

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Badelj didn’t look out of place alongside the likes of Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in his international appearances, leading to admiring glances from several clubs.

Calciomercato claimed that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Monchengladbach—both of whom will compete in this season’s Champions League—are interested, though the player has reportedly rejected an offer from the German side as he is set on a move to Milan.

According to La Repubblica (h/t Football Italia), Badelj’s relationship with Fiorentina has become frayed, with the midfielder keen to leave the club. However, considering his contract lasts until 2018, per Transfermarkt.co.uk, the Viola will be in no rush to sell him.

The player’s agent, Dejan Joksimovic, told the Daily Express' James Gray: “I read that his price is around £8 million, but sincerely I do not think that Fiorentina will sell him for this amount. It’s more likely closer to £12 million.”

Such a fee would be be a considerable outlay for Milan, especially without European football on the horizon, though it would be one worth paying not only to bring in someone equipped for Montella’s tactical demands, but to strengthen a key area of the team.

The Rossoneri’s midfield options offer more uncertainty than guaranteed quality. The likes of Juraj Kucka, Andrea Poli and Jose Mauri do not appear technically gifted enough to adjust to the new coach’s ideas. Meanwhile, those that do, such as Andrea Bertolacci and Riccardo Montolivo, had poor 2015-16 campaigns.

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Youngsters Manuel Locatelli and Niccolo Zanellato show promise and, at 18 years of age, both can be moulded. But Milan need an experienced technical operator to provide stability and dictate the tempo from the centre.

Only seven players in Serie A averaged more passes than Badelj’s 66.3 per game last term, according to WhoScored. He also compared favourably to the Rossoneri’s first-choice midfielders, achieving greater pass completion and creating more chances than each of Montolivo, Bertolacci and Kucka, per Squawka.

Early indications suggest that Montella is going to opt for a 4-3-3 formation with one deep-lying midfielder dropping to link up with the central defenders, play forward passes and combine with the outside midfielders.

Badelj would be perfectly suited to this role and would greatly enhance the team’s possession game. Regardless of how Milan’s takeover talks are resolved, his signing should be prioritised.