The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
Leonardo is in his last days as AC Milan sporting director. The Brazilian former midfielder, together with his old teammate Paolo Maldini, were tasked with bringing AC Milan back its glory days. However, Leonardo will leave after just one season at San Siro.
Although Elliot would prefer to keep Leo, he is expected to resign at the end of the season. The motive behind such a radical choice is his difference of opinion with Gazidis. Elliot has decided to make Ivan Gazidis omnipotent at AC Milan and from now on, every signing must have the approval of the South African CEO. Leonardo’s movement on the transfer market would be very limited and that’s something the Brazilian can not accept.
Lille sporting director Luis Campos will be Leonardo’s successor at Milan. The Portuguese is one of the most respected and valued sporting directors in Europe. A former scout at Real Madrid, Campos achieved tremendous success at Monaco and for the last two years he is serving as Lille’s sporting director.
Luis Campos is credited for discovering Kylian Mbappe and latter selling him at PSG for a world-record fee of 180 million euros. Besides Mbappe, some of Campos’ most important transfers are: signing Fabinho for 6 million and later selling him for 45 to Liverpool. Buying Thomas Lemar for just 4 million and selling him at Atletico Madrid for 70 million, signing Bakayoko for 8 million and selling him to Chelsea for 45. It was also Campos who brought Anthony Martial for just 5 million from Lyon only to sell him later for more than 60 million euros to Manchester United.
His great work has continued even at Lille. The French club were on the brink of bankruptcy but, thanks to a loan of over 110 million euros from Elliot, Lille managed to avoid relegation and this season have qualified for Champions League. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, some of Lille’s stasr could follow him at AC Milan next season.
The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
RW – NICOLAS PEPE
Lille’s most prized asset is without a doubt star winger Nicolas Pepe. The 23-year-old Ivory Coast international was a revelation last season scoring 13 goals in 36 appearances. However, this season, he has outdone himself.
He was one of the best Ligue 1 performers. Pepe guided Lille to a second-place finish and Champions League qualification scoring 22 goals and assisting 11 in 37 league appearances. Excellent numbers for the young right winger.
Lille are aware that they will lose Nicolas Pepe this summer but the name of his next team is still a mystery. Many European top clubs have expressed interest in the talented right winger.
In April, L’Equipe speculated that AC Milan had offered €70 million for Nicolas Pepe, very close to Lille’s demands of 80 million. But if Milan fail to qualify for Champions, the Rossoneri could afford such an investment for a single player.
The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
LW – JOANTHAN BAMBA
A true masterstroke by Luis Campos. The Portuguese sporting director managed to sign Jonathan Bamba on a free transfer from Saint-Etienne last year.
Just like Pepe, Bamba has been a true revelation this season playing a big part in Lille’s historic Champions League qualification. The 23-year-old winger has scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 this season.
Jonathan Bamba is also a star of the French U-21 national team scoring 5 goals in 18 appearances. The Rossoneri scouts will have the opportunity to observe him closely with the Blues in the U-21 European championship to be held this summer.
Lille value Bamba at 20 million euros. Brazil international Everton Soares remains AC Milan’s priority target but the Rossoneri are expected to sign two good wingers this summer.
The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
CDM – THIAGO MENDES
The AC Milan midfield will be the department that will undergo a total overhaul this summer. Jose Mauri, Bertolacci and former captain Montolivo will leave on a free transfer. Bakayoko will return to Chelsea while the future of Kessie and Biglia is still unclear.
Luis Campos, or Leonardo if he stays, will be very busy on the transfer market signing many midfielders. If there is a type of player that Milan absolutely need then that is Thiago Mendes.
The Brazilian defensive midfielder has been one of the best players in France this season. He is 27-years-old so his age may be a bit of a problem for the philosophy of Ivan Gazidis but he totally makes up for that in quality. The perfect replacement for Bakayoko.
Thiago Mendes costs 25 million euros and is one of Lille’s most in-demand players. His teammate Thiago Maia could be an cheaper alternative. The young Brazilian is 22 and has been linked with AC Milan in the past.
The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
CB – ADAMA SOUMAORO
AC Milan will lose Cristian Zapata this summer. The Rossoneri and the Colombian centre back failed to reach an agreement and Zapata will become a free agent at the end of the season.
Mattia Caldara has suffered another injury that will keep him out for 6 months while the permanence of Mateo Mussachio depends on the type of offers Milan could receive. If any club presents a bid of over 20 million then he will likely be sold.
Lille captain Adama Soumaoro could fill their void in defence. The 26-year-old centre back has matured a lot in recent seasons and offered his contribution in Lille’s success this year.
Lille value Soumaoro at 10 million euros. The French defenders seem ready for an important step forward in his career.
The likely appointment of Luis Campos as AC Milan sporting director could be accompanied by the arrival of several Lille stars at San Siro.
RB – ZEKI CELIK
Another defender that will leave at the end of the season is Ignazio Abate. The Italian right back has faithfully served AC Milan for 11 season winning the affection of the fans for his grit and spirit.
Andrea Conti on the other hand has battled with numerous injuries that have kept him out a long time. So, besides the young Davide Calabria, AC Milan do not have a reliable right back.
A problem that will surely be fixed when the summer transfer window opens. Just like many of is teammates Zeki Celik too has been a revelation this season for Lille.
Despite his young age, 22, Celik is the starting right back for his club. Last season Lille paid 2,5 million euros to sign him from Istanbulspor. In today’s market he is worth 10 million euros more.
Author of 34 appearances and 5 assists in his first year in France, Zeki Celik is exactly the type of player Milan need. Young, fast and with good crossing abilities Celik is also a teammate of Calhanoglu in the Turkish national team.
