Maignan, Theo and Leao in demand – the pros and cons of selling each

Several large pieces of business are expected to be done by AC Milan this summer, notably investing in a striker and central defender, alongside recruiting a new head coach. However, the Rossoneri will also be wary of outgoing transfers, with clubs interested in three of their stars.

Milan’s budget for the summer was revealed last month, and whilst the club have room to make a few purchases due to clauses and loan spells, they may have to make a sacrifice to make the squad better as a whole, like they did last summer.

Three players are gaining a lot of interest, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, and the trio are not entirely safe in their positions for a multitude of reasons.

Starting with Mike Maignan, the Frenchman has had a few blips this season but has had a good season, which only seems like a reach because of his exceptional standard. He is a model professional, and he fits the Rossoneri to a tee in terms of his style and is a key player in the dressing room.

However, he has also expressed his desire to grow further, and his ambitions, perhaps, are higher than what Milan can achieve currently. Additionally, he is demanding a new contract with similar figures to Leao, which is causing issues with his renewal.

Then there is Theo Hernandez. It has been another year of Theo proving he is amongst the top left-backs in the world if not the best, and given his age, he will only continue to grow further as he reaches the ‘prime’ of his career. A versatile (when needed) defender who attacks brilliantly and loves the city, he would not ask to leave, but interest in him is maybe the highest of all.

On the negative side of things, his relationship with Paolo Maldini was essential to his growth, and there are some ‘rooted feelings’ about his departure, Gazzetta suggests. Moreover, he has struggled in games and has not been the star when needed, which is at times frustrating.

Finally, there is Rafael Leao. A player who has struggled this season but still provided 20+ contributions across all competitions, the highest-paid player at the club, the centre of the Rossoneri project, the club’s No.10, and a lover and great representative of the Diavolo.

However, whilst he has 24 contributions this season, he has struggled with his consistency, often disappearing in key games. It is clear that he is a fantastic player, there can be no doubt, but he currently lacks the final piece of the puzzle that takes him from world-class to one of the greatest.