Hendrik Almstadt has been appointed as the director of player trading at AC Milan, taking a leading role in the club’s transfer activity, according to reports in the Italian press. The move is part of a wider restructuring of the Milanese club’s sporting department under owner Gerry Cardinale.
Cardinale intends to be more directly involved in the club’s operations, moving away from delegation to intermediaries and taking a hands-on approach to decision-making. Almstadt will oversee player acquisitions and sales, working closely with Bobby Gardiner, who has been promoted to director of Football Intelligence, to identify targets that meet the needs of new head coach Paulo Fonseca. Donato Lomonte will continue to lead the scouting network, which includes observers stationed across Europe and South America.
Almstadt’s appointment signals a shift towards a more data-driven and analytical approach to recruitment. The club is aiming to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for Champions League qualification, and Cardinale has reportedly identified Liverpool as a model for sustainable success. Massimo Calvelli will replace Ivan Gazidis as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer, while David Castelblanco, a key figure at RedBird, will also be heavily involved in the club’s operations.
Milan are keen to retain key players such as Mike Maignan, Adrien Rabiot, and Luka Modrić, despite potential interest from other clubs. While Rafael Leão has reportedly made his desire to leave clear, the club is prepared to resist offers for its other star assets, aiming to maintain a financially sustainable model. Modrić, whose contract includes an automatic renewal option, has been personally requested to stay by Cardinale, though his decision will be influenced by his performance at the upcoming World Cup. The restructuring also includes a focus on youth development, with Jovan Kirovski continuing to oversee the Milan Future project, aimed at nurturing young talent.
