In the upcoming summer transfer window, AC Milan and other Italian teams are keeping a close eye on the best defenders whose contracts are expiring and who are expected to move freely, in order to strengthen their squad without having to pay a transfer fee. For the Rossoneri, the future of the zero-fee market offers a number of opportunities to watch and grasp, as they need to strengthen in multiple positions while managing their limited investment budgets with a budget. As the specific purchase budget for the club is not yet clear, it will depend on the sale of the team's current players and their financial situation.
AC Milan have been linked with a number of defenders whose contracts are expiring, including Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly and Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo. Both defenders have made it clear that they will not renew their contracts with their respective clubs, drawing continued attention from Milan's scouting team. However, with other rivals also eyeing each other, it will not be easy for Milan to bring in these two players.
At the same time, a new name has appeared on Milan's recruitment radar - Mario Hermoso. Hermoso, who now plays for La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, will turn 29 in June and has been a key player under Diego Simeone and has played 36 games this season, including 35 starts. However, despite Simeone's efforts to keep him, Hermoso's contract extension talks with Atletico have not progressed. Fabrizio Romano, a well-known sports journalist, has confirmed that no contract renewal agreement has been reached, meaning Hermoso is likely to say goodbye to Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.
Earlier rumours had suggested that Inter Milan and Juventus were interested in bringing in Hermoso, but these have been denied. According to Sport, Inter Milan had been interested in offering a four-year contract with an annual salary of about 5 million euros to attract Hermoso to join, but negotiations are still at a standstill. In addition to this, clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League have also expressed keen interest in the Spanish international.
Hermoso is yet to decide on his next destination, and he is weighing his options and may need more time to make the best decision. For now, he remains focused on contributing to Atletico Madrid's quest to secure at least fourth place in La Liga and preparing for the Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund for a chance to reach the semi-finals. As the summer transfer market approaches, the battle for Hermoso intensifies, and AC Milan will need to be patient and make a timely move to stand out from the crowd of contenders and add the talented defender to their roster.