Mourinho battles AC Milan for two targets
New Roma coach Jose Mourinho has two transfer targets in midfield that are also chased by AC Milan.
Roma shocked the football world when they announced that Jose Mourinho will take over from Paulo Fonseca. Just days after being sacked from Tottenham Hotspur, Mourinho found a new job and is already preparing the summer mercato with the Roma management.
Jose Mourinho and Roma’s transfers plans interfere with those of AC Milan. The first mutual target of both clubs is Serie A revelation Mattia Zaccagni. He has had a dip in form recently but nevertheless has attracted the interest of top clubs. Zaccagni is an attacking midfielder. The Hellas Verona star has scored 5 goals and assisted 7 in 32 Serie A appearances so far.
Besides AC Milan and Roma, Napoli are also very interested in Zaccagni. The contract of the 25-year-old midfielder expires in 2022 so the Italian talent is available for a low fee of 12-15 million euros. Mourinho is already an admirer while the Rossoneri have been in contact since January. Zaccagni is perfect for Pioli’s 5-2-3-1 and can replace either Hakan Calhanoglu and Rade Krunic.
MilanLive.it reports that Jose Mourinho’s club is also thinking of another midfielder, Antonin Barak. The numbers of the Czech international in his first season with Hellas Verona are more than pleasing. Barak has scored 7 goals and assisted 2 in 31 appearances. Barak can play as central, attacking and defensive midfielder.
A box-to-box midfielder similar to Kessie. A ductile and better suited partner for the Ivorian than Meite. Soualiho Meite is returning to Torino at the end of the season while the Rossoneri have yet to decide the future of Tommaso Pobega.
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