AC Milan's activity in the transfer market has already attracted a lot of attention, especially as the Rossoneri's management are gearing up for a move forward in the next transfer window, with a view to further improving the squad. In addition to the known transfer targets, there are at least two players in Atalanta's squad that have caught a lot of interest from the Milan hierarchy: Ederson and Giorgio Scalvini.
Buanggiono is the centre-back that Milan tried to bring in in the winter transfer window. Although Torino did not agree to release him at the time, that could change as the summer transfer market approaches. It is understood that Buangio himself is open to joining Milan, and to achieve this deal, Milan may need to pay a transfer fee of around 35 million euros. With a number of clubs in Italy and abroad also eyeing him, Milan need to act quickly to ensure they get a head start in this race.
Another Atalanta player who has been favoured by Milan is young centre-back Scalvini. The rising star of Italian football has won widespread praise for his outstanding performances and is regarded as one of the most promising defenders in the country. According to SempreMilan.it, Milan have made initial contact with Atalanta to explore the possibility of a transfer for Scalvini. Atlanta sporting director Tony D'Amico, while open to negotiations, also put forward two key conditions: they need to find a suitable replacement, and second, they need to consider including De Ketelaere in the deal, which will "discount" De Ketelaere's value to offset some of the transfer fee.
Scalvini is currently worth around €45 million and Milan's possible offer includes €15 million to €20 million in cash and ownership of De Ketelaere. Belgian midfielder De Ketelaere has experienced an adaptation period since joining Atalanta, and the current €22 million buy-out clause between Milan and Atalanta with an additional €4 million bonus clause makes the deal structure attractive to both parties. If the deal goes through, Milan are expected to capitalise on De Ketelaere's transfer value to acquire the highly talented young defender at a relatively affordable price.
George Scalvini, the 20-year-old Brescia Academy product, has had an exemplary upbringing at Atalanta. He has a delicate technique, steady possession and all the skills required of a modern centre-back, not only showing great dominance in defence, but also being involved in the team's attacking organisation when necessary. Scalvini won the Golden Boy Award for Best Italian Under-21 Player in 2023, a recognition of his outstanding performances for club and country over the past year. Today, he is a regular in Atalanta's first team, proving that he is a key player to trust, both in his glory days in the Italian Super Cup and in the Serie A tournament that followed.
Scalvini has played 26 Serie A games in 2023-24, including one substitute appearance, accumulating 2,139 minutes of playing time. Despite not scoring a goal, he provided three assists and showed great defensive efficiency with 81 clearances, 56 interceptions and 50 tackles. His pass completion rate of 82.5 per cent is a rarity among defenders and speaks volumes about the precision of his possession and passing skills. Scalvini is 194cm tall and weighs 76kg, which gives him an advantage in duels and headers, further enhancing his defensive intimidation.
Given Scalvini's outstanding performances and huge development potential, his reference value has climbed to 45 million euros. A number of top clubs, including the Premier League, have closely watched his every move, with scouts from giants such as Liverpool and Manchester United appearing at his games on several occasions. Predictably, as he continues to gain experience and improve his abilities in Atalanta and Italy, Scalvini's future is bright, and he could become the epitome of a new generation of top centre-backs in international football.
AC Milan's strong interest in Giorgio Scalvini is no accident. This player not only fits Milan's needs to strengthen the defence, but also has unique technical characteristics and great potential for development. If they can operate successfully in the transfer market, they will undoubtedly greatly improve Milan's defensive strength and add important weight to the team's competition in the coming season. At the same time, it also shows that Milan's management is focusing on identifying local talents and potential stocks in their transfer strategy, with a view to building a competitive and dynamic team while maintaining financial health. Coming forward, how Milan will deal with the fierce transfer competition and whether they can finally bring in their desired target will undoubtedly be one of the focus of the transfer market this summer.