Scouting Wingers for Milan: Castillejo vs Promes

According to numerous reports, Milan have been in pursuit of the 23-year-old winger Samu Castillejo from Villarreal. The former Spanish U-21 national is coming off a solid season where Villarreal finished 5th in La Liga. On the other hand Milan have been linked with Spartak Moscow’s Quincy Promes. The 26-year old Dutch international recorded his joint best tally for goals and assists for the Moscow side.

Samu Castillejo had a good season completing the most dribbles of any Villarreal player per OptaJose. His playing style is eerily familiar to Suso as he was deployed on the right wing. What sets Castillejo apart is his quick feet and his willingness to take on players. He recorded 6 goals and 8 assists in the previous season often scoring late goals. The possibility of a Suso and Castillejo partnership could be exciting as they Spanish nationals could form an exceptional chemistry allowing Higuain to thrive in the coming season. The trouble with Castillejo is his overall similarity to Suso, he is quicker than Suso but still not a fast winger that Milan desperatley desire to speed up their counter attacks. Moreover he spent the previous season dominating the right wing as opposed to his natural left wing in Villarreal thus he seems more comfortable playing in the same position as Suso.

Quincy Promes on the other hand has had three consecutively unreal seasons with Spartak Moscow considering he is a winger. Promes has scored an incredible 58 goals and assisted 29 times in four seasons in the Russian League. Promes is defined by his stunning pace and a monstrous shot as well as some attitude that AC Milan players have lacked. Promes can play on both wings but spent the last season playing on the left wing. He has a winning mentality as he led Moscow to a league title and domestic cup in 2016/17 another good quality for a new signing. Promes could contribute with assists and goals to the team and could follow a long line of Dutch legends who thrived at the San Siro. The one criticism that keeps arising is that he played in Russia, but this should not be an issue seeing his quality and consistency.

DiMarzio reported Castillejo is on sale for €25 million after Villarreal rejected two Milan approaches that included Carlos Bacca in a potential deal. According to DiMarzio Promes is going for €25 million as well but Milan are reportedly pushing for another loan + option to buy deal. Both players are young, enigmatic and exciting prospects but it remains to be seen who Milan can capture following all the links.