Five AC Milan players identified for possible exit as Rúben Amorim begins squad overhaul

Rúben Amorim has warned several AC Milan players they can leave the club this summer as he prepares to start afresh next season at the San Siro. The Portuguese coach has indicated up to five first-team players may be moved on as part of a transfer-window reshuffle.

Amorim, 41, was dismissed by Manchester United in January after a 14-month stint that ended with his side in sixth place and level on points with Chelsea. He has told club officials he wants to reverse recent fortunes at AC Milan and believes a productive transfer window will be critical to his plans.

AC Milan have reportedly placed defender Fikayo Tomori on the market in the closing weeks of the transfer season. Tomori is in his seventh season at the San Siro after joining on loan from his childhood club Chelsea in January 2021; he started 31 of Milan’s 38 Serie A matches last season, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano. With the summer window closing on September 1, Tomori still has time to complete a move.

Amorim does not regard Santiago Giménez as a priority for the coming campaign, a stance that follows AC Milan’s acquisition of Gonçalo Ramos. Giménez has scored seven goals since joining Milan, but his role has been described as a luxury reserve, and he suffered another ankle injury at the World Cup that will keep him out for at least a month and a half.

Midfielder Youssouf Fofana has been added to the club’s transfer list after a series of disappointing pre-season results that included a 3-0 loss to Chelsea. Amorim held a comprehensive squad review with chairman Gerry Cardinale at the Milanello training facility and concluded that Fofana is surplus to requirements because he does not fit the preferred 3-4-2-1 system, which Amorim said requires a double pivot.

Christopher Nkunku has been told he is not part of Amorim’s plans for the upcoming season despite efforts this summer to impress the new head coach. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported Nkunku, 28, was the latest player removed from the 41-year-old’s squad plans and added to the list of those available for transfer.

Rafael Leão is also listed among the names who could depart before the window shuts, having been linked with several clubs but with no concrete offer reported. Those interested moved elsewhere, leaving Leão at Milan while the club finalises its list of players for potential exits; the names most frequently cited as candidates to leave are Fikayo Tomori, Santiago Giménez, Christopher Nkunku and Youssouf Fofana.

With the summer transfer window set to close on September 1, the players named by club sources still have time to secure moves before the deadline.