AC Milan close on a free agent striker, but the Premier League still lurks around him
AC Milan have been searching for a striker since the start of this season, as they look for a clinical number nine. Of course AC Milan have had Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, all season, but they are different profiles then what Milan needed. There where heavy talks all over the summer, but Milan didn’t manage to make a move.
Niclas Fullkrug was signed from West Ham, however on a loan with an option to buy deal. However, he isn’t a full time option for Milan but more of a stop gap for Milan. This has left them looking for a long term move, someone who can play the same role as Fullkrug but is younger.
Milan have one name at the top of their list to sign, mainly due to their coach Massimiliano Allegri. This is Dusan Vlahovic, one of the worlds best strikers, who has already worked with at Juventus. Dusan also has an expiring contract at the end of this season, which he won’t renew.
This means that Vlahovic could become a free agent option for Milan to sign this summer. Milan are also leading the charge for Vlahovic according to TEAMtalk. AC Milan are closing in on a deal with Dusan Vlahovic which would see him playing for the Rossoneri next season.
However, the deal isn’t secured as Vlahovic still has other options especially in the Premier League. Tottenham and Chelsea are both watching over the Vlahovic situation and could try and make move. Especially if the move to Milan fall through, even if it doesn’t that could likely give Vlahovic higher wages then Milan if he wants a move to the Premier League.
Transfer News
Transfer Off: Jean-Phillipe Mateta won’t join AC Milan due to failed medical
Jean-Phillipe Mateta was one of the biggest names in this Serie A transfer window as he looked set to make a move to Italy. Juventus were the first team interested in his services, managing to agree a four year deal with Mateta. But they failed to come to agreement with Palace as they didn’t want to pay 40 million for Mateta straight up.
AC Milan were the second team up to try and bring Mateta to Italy. They also managed to agree a deal with Mateta on a four year contract. Milan had the same struggles as Juventus as they couldn’t agree a deal with Crystal Palace.Then however, Palace signed Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanders as a replacement for Mateta for £70M.
This then lead to them looking for somewhere to sell Mateta as to not have a headache up top. Palace managed to agree a deal with Mateta but that fell through. Jean-Philippe was not open to that move wanting to go somewhere else in Europe, specifically Italy or France. This left Palace in a pickle as they didn’t have any suitors at their asking price of €35M.
AC Milan changed their bud from a loan to buy to a permanent transfer but keeping at €30M. Palace decided to accept with the deadline being close by and not wanting to keep Mateta or his wages.
Mateta and Milan scheduled his medical to take place in London with Milan’s medical team travelling across the pond. However, this deal would fall through as Mateta would fail his medical in London as he has an injury requiring surgery sidelining him for 3-4 months. This means that Niclas Fullkrug will be the only striker.
Transfer News
Done Deal: Juventus and Bologna agree on two loan to buy deals
Joao Mario was one of Juventus’s first signings they made in the summer, coming to Turin in a swap deal. He was controversially brought in on a swap deal for Alberto Costa. Costa had shined for Juventus especially during the Club World Cup, but there was no guarantee he would stay in Turin so Juventus sold him.
Joao Mario, however has not shined at Juventus. Mario has only featured for Juventus in thirteen games, this season last playing nearly a month ago on January 7th. This has left Juventus looking for a way to get rid of him, and sign a replacement for him. Juventus decided to leave this late as they had a busy mercato, that wasn’t overly successful.

Joao Mario of Juventus arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Juventus and Pafos FC at…
Thankfully for Juventus however, Fabrizio Romano reports that a replacement has been found from Bologna. This would be Emil Holm, who was sought after by many Italian clubs through this window. This comes as Nadir Zortea has become the number one right back for Bologna, but Holm has the quality and potential to play more elsewhere.
Emil Holm will now have the opportunity to play more elsewhere as he has agreed personal terms with Juventus. Juventus and Bologna have also agreed on a loan to buy deal to see Holm play in Turin. The loan to buy deal is being labeled as a swap deal as Bologna will get a player back from Juventus.
This will be Joao Mario, who will make a move to join Bologna as he has been struggling for game time this season. He has agreed terms with Bologna, over a deal which will hopefully see him earn playing time. Bologna also hold buy rights to Mario making this a one of a kind swap deal.
Transfer News
Napoli closing in on signing replacment for the injured Di Lorenzo
Napoli have dealt with injuries below since before the start of this season. This came as Romelu Lukaku went down in a preseason friendly vs Olympiacos. The problem has only got worse for Napoli with seven current squad players being out with injury including Vanja Milnkovic-Savic and Kevin De Bruyne both being on that list.
The list could’ve been made eight against Chelsea on Wednesday as Giovanni Di Lorenzo went down with a knee injury. Di Lorenzo kept on playing through the injury as Napoli only had limited options on the bench. However, the problem didn’t go away as he had to be stretched off in the 3oth minute of today’s game against Fiorentina.
This has lead an already depleted Napoli side looking for options to replace Di Lorenzo. They also only have a day to complete any move with the transfer deadline today. However, they have been able to complete the quick move according to Nico Schira as they are set to make a signing from Cagliari.
This is Gabriele Zappa who is open to leaving Sardena to join Napoli. Zappa has already managed to agree terms with Napoli on a deal, leaving the clubs to negotiate the terms. The deal is getting closer and closer to happening but not everyone agrees as there is conflicting reports.

Gabriele Zappa of Cagliari seen in action during the Serie A 2025/26 football match between Juventus and Cagliari at Allianz Juventus Stadium. Final…
Orazio Accomando is reporting that Zappa is not a first choice option for Napoli, as they have another name in mind. This would be Brooke Norton-Cuffy from Genoa. However, Genoa don’t want to lose Norton-Cuffy on a loan deal instead of a straight swap, so Zappa is still a backup according to Accomando.
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