Olivier Giroud will say goodbye to AC Milan at the end of the season, which means that the management must now begin work on finding a replacement.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) confirm, Giroud will follow up on the words head said at the beginning of the season when he declared that in choosing his future he would not only think as a footballer but also as a family man.
For this reason, an agreement that is said to have been reached between the Frenchman’s entourage and Los Angeles FC which is not that surprising. Giroud would end his career, still in great physical condition, in an expanding league and in a city that gives a great quality of life.
There is talk of a contract that will last for 18 months so it will therefore not be an economic choice. Milan probably would not have hesitated to give Giroud what he asked for, even for another year, given the constant and high performance of these last three seasons.
Who will replace him? This is the ‘million dollar’ question, or in this case a ‘€50m question’, because if Milan want to sign one of the strikers they have circled on their list, it is likely that at least €50m euros will need to be invested, if not more.
The name at the top is that of Joshua Zirkzee. Bayern Munich have a €40m buy-back but it is unlikely that the Dutchman wants to go and act as Harry Kane’s deputy. Bologna will therefore most likely manage the negotiation and will shoot high.
The same case applies to the other young talents such as Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Santiago Gimenez. A little further behind on the list are Jonathan David and Serhou Guirassy, who cost less but are still appreciated.
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