Who A.C. Milan Should Buy This Summer

There is much uncertainty surrounding Milan at present.

Fans have begun to express their discontent and there are rumours that owner Silvio Berlusconi might sell the club. Also, the choice of coach for next year is still not yet confirmed. Massimiliano Allegri is the likely candidate as of now.

However, the one main issue that needs resolving more than anything else is the squad. As has been the case for a number of seasons now, the current Milan squad is in desperate need of new arrivals. Too many old and washed up players still fill the Milan team sheets.

Next season, this has to change.

Unfortunately, it does seem unlikely that Milan will make serious inroads into curtailing this issue, despite the recent promise by Berlusconi that at least one new star will arrive this summer. We have heard this before.

But for moment let us ponder, albeit unrealistic it is at times, just who Milan should and maybe could buy this summer. Starting from the back and making our way to the attack, ideal signings are discussed alongside more realistic ones.

Goalkeeper

Dida is the past. Milan, in more ways than one, need to look to the future. They could start by bringing back Marco Storari who has impressed in his loan spell at Sampdoria.

Storari is a quality goalkeeper, an affordable solution, and a highly possible one too.  

Defence

When Nesta is fit and playing alongside Thiago Silva, Milan has one of the best centre half pairings in Europe. However, Nesta is prone to injury, and for this reason Milan needs to acquire a strong centre half that is capable of filling in for the Italian. This is no easy task, and therefore the likes of Onyewu and Bonera will not do.

Nicolas Otamendi is the ideal solution. Young, strong and full of promise, Otamendi is the kind of player that Milan should by buying. He has often been dubbed the "new Samuel" in reference to Walter Samuel of Inter. Otamendi definitely has all the attributes to fulfil this billing.

Fullback

Luca Antonini has been a revelation for Milan this season. However, Gianluca Zambrotta has only shown that his days are well past him. Therefore, at least one quality full back has to arrive in the summer.

Realistic options include Marco Motta, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Mattia Cassani . However, the number one preference would be Branislav Ivanovic of Chelsea. The young Serbian is an absolute quality defender and also knows how to get forward. With Bosingwa the number one choice at Chelsea, signing Ivanovic could be possible, however, it is unlikely.

Ideally, Milan should sign a second full back. Jankulovski, Abate and Favalli are not suitable backups for a club intending to win major honours. Fabio Aurelio would be a wise signing. The Brazilian’s contract at Liverpool ends this summer, meaning Milan could pick him up for free making this signing highly realistic.

Midfield

Massimo Ambrosini and Gennaro Gattuso no longer are good enough to be Milan’s first-choice defensive midfielders. Mathieu Flamini does not have the quality. Therefore, at least one strong defensive midfielder is required.

One solution would be Mahamadou Diarra of Real Madrid. However, the number one choice would be Yaya Toure of Barcelona. With the emergence of Busquets at the Nou Camp, signing Yaya Toure is not unrealistic. Furthermore, he is one of the best defensive midfielders in the game and his presence in the Milan midfield would bring some much needed steel.

Ideally, however, Milan needs another midfielder. One who is both a ball player and ball-getter. Undoubtedly, the best player Milan could acquire for this role would be Cesc Fabregas . The player has been linked to Milan in the past, however, it is very unlikely that Fabregas will be brought in with reports indicating he is to sign for Barcelona next season.

More likely candidates would be Gaetano D’Agostino and Luca Cigarini . The club would do well to sign one of these players in any event.

Forwards

If Milan is serious about winning silverware, then they certainly need to replace Marco Borriello as the lead striker. He is not good enough, is somewhat overrated, and it is beyond belief that Lippi is taking him to the World Cup. Either Borriello goes or Huntelaar this summer.

The number one choice of striker to lead the Milan attack is of course Fernando Torres . Arguably the best striker in the world, Torres is nothing short of world class. He will guarantee goals given the support which Ronaldinho can provide.

Such a transfer is unlikely. This being the case, Edin Dzeko is still a very favourable option. What is more, the Bosnian has top the goal scoring charts in the Bundesliga and in all has scored 28 goals this season. This proves that the Bosnian’s break out season last season was no fluke. He is quality.