Milan Striker Shows Up as Pressure Was Mounting

Christopher Nkunku had his first really convincing display since joining Milan just before the start of the January window. The rumors had started percolating, but the Rossoneri were in a tricky spot with him after investing €37M last summer.

The brace against Hellas Verona will likely put the buzz to bed, La Gazzetta dello Sport informs. The brass had been quietly fielding calls, but they would have likely taken a bath. The attacker turning things around would be a much-welcome development. He’ll have to confirm himself in the next few matches, when he’ll have to split duties also with Niclas Fullkrug. On the other hand, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao have never been healthy at the same time.

According to La Repubblica, Milan had set a €35M price tag for Nkunku and were hoping the main Turkish teams, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas, would vie for him.

The striker has some suitors in the Premier League. His name came up during talks with Juventus about Federico Gatti.

Before the Verona tilt, the Frenchman hadn’t scored in 306 days in league play. Pulisic helped him out by letting him take a penalty kick, where he has good numbers, and then he rounded the score with a fierce tap-in.

Our Take on Milan and Nkunku

It was very strange for a team notably careful when it comes to splurging to spend so much for a player who hadn’t shone in ages and is duplicative with their other forwards. As a matter of fact, they had to remedy in a hurry, settling for what was available for pennies on the market. He’ll need a lot more than two cheap goals against a minnow to live up to the billing.