AC Milan
Five Deadline-Day Transfers That Could Still Happen
Deadline Day could yet produce late moves: Mateta, Zirkzee, Durán, Diaby and Frattesi are candidates.
Deadline Day can still deliver late movement, even when midseason selling is difficult. With the January window closing, clubs remain capable of last-minute deals. Here are five players who, according to current reporting, could yet change clubs before the window slams shut.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has watched Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and now Guéhi depart Crystal Palace since his rise to prominence and believes the time is right to make a move. Oliver Glasner kept Mateta out of his matchday squad on Sunday, as Palace drew 1–1 at Nottingham Forest, and the Frenchman is poised to join Milan on Deadline Day. Interest came from Nottingham Forest, but Mateta is thought to favour Serie A. The reported fee is £26 million ($35.6 million). As mitigation, Palace are bringing in Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Joshua Zirkzee has not played for Manchester United since Michael Carrick took the reins due to an injury, but the Dutch forward was back in the matchday squad against Fulham. He has two Premier League goals in 14 appearances this season. There has been talk of a return to Serie A, with Napoli and Roma linked, although Romelu Lukaku’s long-awaited comeback from injury has eased Napoli’s need for a centre forward. Zirkzee’s reaction to Benjamin Šeško’s winner on Sunday suggests he remains committed at Old Trafford, yet calls about his availability persist.
Jhon Durán left Aston Villa for Al Nassr in a £71 million ($89 million) deal after a strong start to 2024–25. He scored eight times in 13 Saudi Pro League matches before moving on loan to Fenerbahçe last summer. Durán has had less joy in Türkiye and speculation is growing about a return to the Premier League. Any move would require agreement with his parent club, and clubs including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked.
Moussa Diaby has been mentioned as a possible Inter target despite not being an obvious fit for a 3-5-2. He impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, was less effective in one Premier League season and spent two years in the Saudi Pro League. Unai Emery was willing to cut ties after Al Ittihad offered a fee similar to what they paid in 2023. The Inter link looks unlikely, but Tottenham could be active late.
Inter are also struggling to sort a deal with Liverpool for Curtis Jones, which currently leaves Davide Frattesi set to remain in Milan until summer. An agreement in principle with Nottingham Forest exists, however, so if Inter pivot and bring someone in, Frattesi could be on his way to the Premier League.
AC Milan
Why AC Milan Tops Gabriel Jesus’s Summer Options
At Selhurst Park Jesus lifted another title; with one year at Arsenal, his future unsettled more yet
Gabriel Jesus closed the season at Selhurst Park with a title that echoed his 2022 debut for Arsenal. That moment crystallised a familiar dilemma: he remains part of a title-winning squad but is no longer a guaranteed starter.
“A lot is said about my future, and I’m very honest. It’s not easy for a player who always wants to evolve and help on the pitch with what’s been happening,” he told ESPN Brazil after Arsenal’s title triumph.
“The future belongs to God. I still have one year left on my Arsenal contract. I want to play and prove to myself that I can still play at a high level.”
This season Jesus served as a useful option for Arsenal but operated as the club’s third-choice centre forward behind Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz. For a player determined to play regularly, the most straightforward route would be a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
Among the destinations under consideration, AC Milan stands out. The Rossoneri have dismantled much of their hierarchy after missing out on Champions League qualification: manager Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani have all departed. That upheaval leaves the squad in flux and makes further changes among playing staff likely.
Milan’s attack needs clarity. Rafael Leão, described in the draft as a frustrating figurehead, could be moved on. Leão and Christian Pulisic were the only two Milan players to reach double-digit goals this season. Recognised strikers Santiago Giménez and Niclas Füllkrug managed one goal each, while Christopher Nkunku scored eight. The club’s centre-forward issue predates Allegri, and a new recruitment approach could prioritise a proven option.
Jesus arrives with caveats. Two major knee injuries have affected his career, and his sharpness has faded, but there were enough glimmers this season to suggest he can still perform at a high level. High wages, however, could deter some suitors, which is why clubs such as Juventus and Napoli are judged unlikely to mount serious bids.
Milan combines need and the potential capacity to act, making it the most logical summer destination among those discussed in the original assessment.
AC Milan
World Cup fitness worries: 14 key internationals racing to recover
Major internationals face late fitness tests ahead of June 11 start; hamstrings, fractures headline.
The run-up to the 2026 World Cup is shaping as much around rehabilitation as selection. Across Europe several of the game’s most influential internationals are carrying injuries that have already curtailed club seasons or left their participation in doubt.
Lamine Yamal’s hamstring problem has ruled him out for the remainder of the season with Barcelona, though the club have insisted he should feature at the World Cup. Estêvão and Arda Güler have also suffered hamstring injuries and been ruled out for the rest of their club campaigns at Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively. Reports say Güler is still set to appear at his first World Cup.
Some long-serving figures have been struck down too. Luka Modrić suffered a fractured cheekbone in AC Milan’s match with Juventus and will miss the rest of the Serie A season. Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge of Tottenham and was in tears at the time; his availability for the tournament remains unclear.
Mohamed Salah’s club season ended with an unflattering final touch for Liverpool, and his previous World Cup involvement in Russia was affected by fitness concerns after a dislocated shoulder in the Champions League final. Éder Militão has again gone down with a hamstring issue and has been ruled out for the rest of the club season alongside Güler, with recent reports suggesting his injury may be worse than first feared.
Mikel Merino has been absent since undergoing surgery on a fractured foot in January but is expected to be considered by Spain. Dejan Kulusevski is still working his way back after nearly a year out and admitted: “I haven’t played in a year. I know what the chances are,” and added, “But if there is one person on the planet who can do this, I would bet on myself. And we are not just going there to participate. Sweden will aim to be one of the best.”
Other concerns include Matthijs de Ligt, sidelined since November with a back problem but back on the grass at Carrington, Reece James with a fresh hamstring setback, Mohammed Kudus whose comeback was ended by a new quad issue and Joško Gvardiol after a broken leg in the new year. For all of them the coming weeks will determine whether they travel in June.
AC Milan
Wright’s Promotion, Aaronson’s Momentum and Pulisic’s Worrying Run Ahead of World Cup Deadline
Wright’s promotion boosts his World Cup case; Aaronson and Richards rise while Pulisic’s form falls.
With national teams required to submit World Cup squads to FIFA by May 30, every appearance now carries added weight for American players. The past week produced clear positives and growing concerns for the USMNT pool.
Haji Wright played 28 minutes for Coventry City in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers as his club secured promotion to the English top flight for the first time in 25 years. Wright entered in the 62nd minute and registered a single shot in that match. Across the Championship campaign he has 16 goals and an assist in 29 games, placing him second in the Golden Boot race behind Žan Vipotnik. That goalscoring return and the prospect of remaining with Coventry for the Premier League step up have strengthened his appeal for a World Cup roster spot, even if he is not a guaranteed starter.
Brenden Aaronson is enjoying one of his best seasons with Leeds United. He played 86 minutes in Monday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United, creating an assist on a day Noah Okafor netted a brace in a 2–1 victory at Old Trafford. Aaronson now has four goals and four assists in 31 Premier League matches this season and is pushing to make his second World Cup after debuting in Qatar. While Leeds remain concerned about relegation, the club also prepares for an FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea after ousting West Ham United. “The biggest thing was the Premier League, staying up and just having a great season, which I think we’ve done and we’ve put ourselves in a great position,” Aaronson told ESPN . “And then the cherry on top is being in the FA Cup and getting to the semifinals … It’s going to be a massive game for this club and for this team.”
Chris Richards continued his rise with Crystal Palace, producing 10 defensive actions and nine clearances in Conference League action against Fiorentina as Palace advanced 4–2 on aggregate despite a 2–1 loss. He also delivered nine defensive contributions in a league win over Newcastle, a match settled by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 94th-minute penalty.
By contrast, Christian Pulisic’s form remains a concern. The 27-year-old has gone 17 goalless games for AC Milan after a 3–0 loss to Udinese in which he recorded three attempts but no shot on target. Since his last goal he has one assist, versus Torino in March, and he struggled for the USMNT against Portugal and Belgium. Tim Ream’s veteran presence still matters, but recent showings with Charlotte FC raise questions about his level against top attackers.
