Milan’s Hunt for a New Number 9: Burkardt Observed, All Names on the List

AC Milan’s goal-scoring woes have become increasingly apparent this season, with the Rossoneri netting 18 fewer goals than their city rivals Inter Milan and 15 less than Atalanta in the league. This significant gap has contributed to Milan’s disappointing eighth-place position, a far cry from their initial Scudetto ambitions. The team’s struggle to score more than one goal per game, as evidenced in their recent match against Cagliari at San Siro, has highlighted the urgent need for a high-caliber attacking reinforcement.

Calciomercato report that while the club has set its sights on Marcus Rashford or a similar versatile forward who can play both wide and centrally for the current transfer window, their summer plans involve securing a true number 9. In recent weeks, Milan’s scouts have been closely monitoring German striker Jonathan Burkardt of Mainz. The 24-year-old has impressed with 12 goals and 2 assists this season, earning his first call-up to the German national team in October. Burkardt is widely regarded as one of the most promising young attackers in international football.

Santiago Giménez of Feyenoord remains a top target for Milan, with negotiations already underway. Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese has emerged as an intriguing option, primarily proposed by his agent, and will be evaluated in the coming months. PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani is admired by the club but is considered more of a summer transfer prospect rather than a January acquisition.

Among the profiles being tracked is Troy Parrott, the 22-year-old Irish striker currently finding the net regularly for AZ Alkmaar. However, pursuits of Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Šeško are deemed significantly more challenging.

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