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As we edge closer to the end of the Serie A season and move toward the inevitable hype of the silly transfer offseason, rumours and whispers begin flying around. Diving straight into this week's rumours is more Carlos Bacca. The circus is just beginning folks!
More Bacca Whispers!
AC Milan's super striker Carlos Bacca is a wanted man, and rightly so. Top goalscorer for the club this season with fourteen goals (and two in the Coppa Italia), there have been whispers of clubs circling the Colombian forward. Two weeks ago it was Bayern Munich. Apparently, the head honchos at Milan are listening to offers, at least according to a few reports. This week sees Bacca linked with a move to Chelsea, as well as a move to Arsenal (if they lose Alexis Sanchez, who is now linked with Juventus and Atletico Madrid). A lacklustre season for the Rossoneri may see them try and shift Bacca for the right fee, which is reportedly set between 35-40 million euros by the club.
Manuel Locatelli to Arsenal? *Maybe*
AC Milan youngster, 18-year-old Manuel Locatelli, hailed 'Milan's playmaker of the future" by Silvio Berlusconi has garnered some interest from Arsenal. According to sources in Italy, the London club have been tracking the central midfielder for several months now, impressing Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger. While Arsenal would see Locatelli as a long term investment, Milan are looking to guarantee him first team football, which may sway the decision favourably for the Rossoneri as Arsenal would be unable to offer that. While being included in matchday squads on eight occasions, Locatelli hasn't made his debut yet.
Lack of Champions League will hurt
Let's face it, we didn't really expect to make it to the Champions League this season, did we? It looks highly unlikely that the Rossoneri will be making an appearance in the CL next season, for the second straight year. This affects the club's finances and transfer capabilities. Few top class players will want to come to a club that has no Champions League in their schedule, no matter the history and success of seasons gone past.
Donnarumma A Wanted Man/Teen/Manchild (?!)
Gianluigi Donnarumma, the brilliant 17-year-old goalkeeper who cemented his starting spot after displacing Diego Lopez last October, is a wanted man. Donnarumma appears to be a mature choice between the sticks, showing class and skill beyond his years, so there is no surprise to hear that some of the big clubs are looking into the youngster. Both Manchester United and Chelsea have appeared interested in signing the young goalkeeper. Milan are hoping to put a stop to any speculation and put pen to paper on a new and improved contract for Donnarumma. The other good news is there have been no suggestions by Donnarumma that he is looking to go elsewhere, so...hooray! (hopefully).
Iturbe to Milan
Juan Manuel Iturbe joined AFC Bournemouth on loan from Roma in January, but has struggled for minutes on the pitch the entire length of his loan spell. According to Tribal Football, the Rossoneri are looking into acquiring the Roma forward and joining the team at the San Siro.
Kovacic Linked
Mateo Kovacic moved from Inter Milan to Real Madrid last summer, but after a low key season in which he hasn't lived up to expectations, is now being linked with a loan move away from the club. Several sources including Tuttosport are reporting that both Tottenham and AC Milan are interested in signing the 21-year-old on loan.