In what can well be defined as one of the most exciting transfer markets in recent times for AC Milan, the rossoneri have already succeeded in surprising many. After having finished sixth last season, Vincenzo Montella’s men were expected to witness a host of players come in and some others go out, with a revolution expected at a club that is still striving to go back to the top of the Italian game. And that’s exactly what has happened, thanks to the Chinese ownership at San Siro.

 

Despite Thursday's dramatic news that young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma would not be renewing his contract, the four signings that have been made, suggest that the club are certainly undergoing a change from the times when it struggled to attract the best players in Europe. The captures of Matteo Musacchio from Villarreal, Franck Kessie from Atalanta, Ricardo Rodriguez from Wolfsburg and that of Andre Silva from Porto will do more than just peg the holes that existed in the side and a number of players are still being linked with the club.

 

Having already spent around €99 million on transfers, the trio of Grzegorz Krychowiak, Nikola Kalinic, Andrea Conti and RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg continue to be linked to the rossoneri. It remains to be seen whether more players will end up donning the famed red and black jersey when the transfer window ends, but these seem like interesting times for a club that has regained a bit of its lost mojo.

 

Mattia de Sciglio, who has long been linked with a move away from Milan, could finally seal a move to Juventus this summer, but Montella already has replacements for the Italy international. De Sciglio was utilised at both right-back and left-back last season and did well enough to play week in and week out, establishing himself as a regular. Montella already has Davide Calabria and Ignazio Abate vying for that spot and the acquisition of Rodriguez from Wolfsburg means that Leonel Vangioni will have some stiff competition to fend off at left-back. Rodriguez can be considered an upgrade over De Sciglio too.

 

Kessie, who had enjoyed a thoroughly impressive breakout campaign under Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta, will add more steel to the heart of the squad and with Riccardo Montolivo not getting any younger, much like Jose Sosa, he’ll be a vitally important cog in Montella's machine next term . Manuel Locatelli had a breakout campaign of sorts himself this past season, but Kessie seems like a definite upgrade over almost all of the options that Montella has in midfield. The hard-working Ivorian’s ability to slot in effectively at right-back makes him a very utility capture indeed, with Mario Pasalic returning to his parent club Chelsea. 

 

While Kessie is also capable of playing centre-back, the capture of Matteo Musacchio from Villarreal has made sure that the rossoneri have one of the most cultured defenders in Europe. The Argentine was once linked with a move to Tottenham, but the €18 million man is very likely to form a defensive pairing with Alessio Romagnoli that looks attractive from the outside.



The Italian has become a vital cog in the wheel for Milan over the past two seasons and with Gabi Paletta having endured an inconsistent campaign, Musacchio can help Milan form a defensive wall. Milan had the sixth best defensive record in the league and there have to be improvements if they desire to climb up the table next season. 
 

In terms of goalscoring, Milan had only the tenth best record and a lack of a quality frontman cost them throughout the season. Carlos Bacca did score 13 times in Serie A, but there was a need for more goals, with Gianluca Lapadula not doing enough to impose himself on the side. Andre Silva, who racked up a tally of 20 goals in all competitions for Porto, is regarded as one of the best young strikers in Europe right now. Bacca, who failed to seal a move to West Ham last summer, may well depart this time around and that will allow Silva to act as that quality striker who can score 20 or 25 goals a season. 

 

It already seems like the holes have been pegged, but attempts are likely to be made to purchase a new right-winger, with Lucas Ocampos and Gerard Deulofeu having returned to Genoa and Everton respectively. Not just that, but it seems as if the owners will look to raise the bar and help Milan get closer to greatness.  With a Europa League campaign beckoning, there will be the need to increase strength in depth to make sure that the side doesn't’t suffer from exhaustion in the league games.