Milan broadening the players' staff to keep the title hopes alive

It is not only the quality on the pitch that carries all the importance, it's the "length of the bench" that sometimes wins the titles. Hence AC Milan embarked on a serious upgrade this January, although they have mostly focused on alternates for their main players. Let us remind you, Soualiho Meïté arrived from Torino to strengthen the competition in the midfield though he was not seen as a starter, Mario Mandžukić came so Zlatan Ibrahimović could have some rest, while Fikayo Tomori should arrive from London today, tomorrow at the latest. The Rossoneri are also on the hunt to bring Barcelona's left-back Junior Firpo next week to San Siro.

As per today's edition of Gazeta delo Sport, Milan has already sent Barcelona the first offer for the left-back who would allow Theo Hernandez to take a break from time to time. A modest 500.000 euros for a six-month loan is not that far below the 1.000.000 that Blaugrana is asking for. Of course, in the summer it remains to be seen if Milan would buy out the Brazilian. It is estimated that Barça would not release Firpo for less than 20.000.000 euros.

Junior Firpo (©Reuters)

Fikayo Tomori will cost a bit more than that, even though at first it was speculated that Chelsea would ask for 30.000.000 for his purchase after another, six-month loan. The newspaper writes that the price will be slightly lower, certainly above 20.000.000 euros, but not exactly 30.000.000. Negotiations on the final price are still in progress, and that part of the conversation is delaying Tomori's arrival at Milan the most. He was supposed to appear yesterday, now it is written that he is coming today, no later than tomorrow. No one leaves the possibility that the deal will fail. For the loan itself, the Rossoneri will pay the London Blues 1.000.000 euros.

As for Firpo, it is not finalized yet. In his case, it is not only Barca that needs to be convinced. The player himself asked to be told clearly how much he will play as Hernandez's competition. However, as Milan has no other alternative, Firpo would certainly get the space to resurrect his game after six bad months at the Camp Nou stadium, i.e. only 147 minutes in La Liga.

In any case, the Brazilian will not arrive before the beginning of next week.