AC Milan owner Gerry Cardinale held a series of meetings with head coach Massimiliano Allegri and the club's sporting directors this week to outline plans for the summer transfer window. According to reports from Italy, Cardinale, the founder of RedBird Capital Partners, was in Milan on Sunday for the match against Juventus and remained for strategic talks on Monday. The discussions, which also involved CEO Giorgio Furlani and sporting director Igor Tare, focused on reinforcing the squad to Allegri's specifications ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The primary objective of the talks was to align the club's strategy with the coach's needs, ensuring he has the necessary guarantees to continue his project. Allegri has publicly stated his commitment to Milan following a recent win over Verona, but the club's hierarchy recognizes that backing in the transfer market is crucial. The manager has reportedly emphasized the need to expand a thin squad, currently comprised of 23 players including goalkeepers, to a more robust group of 27 or 28 to compete effectively in European competition.
Central to the planning is the pursuit of experienced profiles to blend with the club's younger investments. A key target identified is Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, with the club's leadership receiving a mandate from Cardinale to do what is possible to secure such signings. The 31-year-old German international represents the caliber of player Allegri is seeking to add leadership and quality to the midfield. While no fee or contract terms were disclosed, the talks signal Milan's intent to be active in the market.
This visit marks Cardinale's fourth trip to Milan since the start of the year, indicating a more hands-on approach from the ownership after a prolonged absence. The club released a statement noting his presence "testifies once again to the strong, constant, and concrete support of the ownership for the team and the entire club." Beyond transfer planning, the trip also served to reinforce that message of stability to the squad and fans amidst some recent fan protests over ticket prices.
The meetings come at a pivotal time, with Allegri's name having been linked to other positions, including the Italian national team job. Clarifying the project and the resources available is seen as a vital step in securing his long-term future. The discussions suggest Milan will operate with a clear directive to support Allegri, aiming to build a more competitive and deeper squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts next season.
