CorSport: Milan resume contacts over Theo replacement – €20m bid possible | OneFootball

The process of hiring a new sporting director is the main focus for the AC Milan management, but they are also thinking about summer signings.

According to Corriere dello Sport, face-to-face and telephone interviews are continuing to reach a final decision. Igli Tare remains the favourite, but they are also working on other names, with Fabio Paratici believed to be being considered too.

In the meantime, they are also proceeding with planning the mercato for the summer, in which significant changes are expected to the team. Some players have reached the end of their cycle at Milan while others will be offloaded, so a very different squad is expected in 2025-26.

Among the targets for the left flank is the Belgian Maxim De Cuyper, a 24-year-old at Club Brugge who is a very intriguing profile. There have been recent contacts with the player’s agents to reiterate their appreciation for De Cuyper, who would be in favour of a move to the Rossoneri.

In the last Champions League match against Aston Villa, the Belgian full-back scored the equalised for Brugge, demonstrating his attacking ability and also defending well. It is a goal that will have probably increased the value of the player, and there is a lot of competition.

Arsenal and West Ham like him from the Premier League, while in Italy there is also Juventus at the window. Milan could go as high as €20m to win the race, but before the decisive move they would like to finalise the hiring of the new sporting director.

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It is essential that the players under observation for some time are also of interest to the next director who will have to manage the sporting area, especially because the signing of De Cuyper would then pave the way to the sale of Theo Hernandez one year to go before his contract expires.

If Milan want to avoid losing the Frenchman for free, they will have to find a solution in the coming months. A renewal or sale in the summer are the only two ways to avoid a free transfer in 2026, but no progress has been made on Theo’s extension in recent times and his form is poor.

In January Como bid €45m for him, an offer accepted by Milan but not by the player, who preferred to continue with the Rossoneri and wait for teams of a higher calibre. However, around Europe there is no longer a queue like a few seasons ago.

Theo wants to try to close a difficult campaign season in the best possible way and then evaluate all the scenarios in the summer. However, the Rossoneri already have the solution ready in case of a farewell.