AC Milan Looks to Restructure Squad After Chelsea Friendly Loss
AC Milan experienced a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in a recent pre-season friendly, prompting head coach Ruben Amorim to evaluate his squad’s performance and make key decisions regarding player sales and acquisitions. The defeat, which took place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, led the team to list Pervis Estupinan, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Zachary Athekame, and Santiago Gimenez on the transfer market.
During the summer preparation period, Amorim expressed the need for time to assess his players before finalizing any moves. Following the match against Chelsea, it became evident that the performances of certain players did not meet expectations. Notably, Tomori, Fofana, and Athekame did not feature in the match, suggesting their time with the club may be nearing an end.
Amorim initially hesitated to take action on Estupinan amid interest from Aston Villa, aiming to understand how the Ecuadorian international could fit into his system. However, Estupinan’s disappointing displays during the friendly, characterized by defensive lapses, led to reports that he is also available for transfer.
Gimenez, currently sidelined due to injury, remains an option for potential suitors FC Porto and Lazio, although Milan is expected to wait for formal offers. Other players potentially on the chopping block include Samuele Ricci, linked with Atalanta, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The situation surrounding Rafael Leao is particularly notable. Milan will consider selling him if they receive an offer exceeding €50 million, including add-ons. Yet, Turkish clubs such as Besiktas, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahce have yet to meet this asking price. If Leao departs, the club may shift its attention to securing a replacement, with Roma’s Matias Soulé, valued at €30 million, being one potential target.
The 3-0 friendly defeat to Chelsea helped clarify some of Ruben Amorim’s ideas, as Milan have put Pervis Estupinan, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Zachary Athekame and Santiago Gimenez for sale.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Head coach Ruben Amorim of AC Milan looks on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)
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The new coach said that he wanted time to evaluate the players at his disposal during the summer preparation period, before he would commit to sales and investments.
There were some signs after the most recent match, a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in Jakarta.
Milan performances did not convince
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots against Moises Caicedo of Chelsea FC during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)
Tomori, Fofana and Athekame did not set foot on the pitch, suggesting their time at San Siro is truly up, but they need to be sold before replacements can come in.
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Above all, Amorim had wanted to get a good feel of how Estupinan would work within his system, which prompted them to hesitate on the Aston Villa approach.
The Ecuador international made defensive howlers and looked distracted during the friendly games, so it’s reported he too is now for sale, even though Aston Villa have already snapped up Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid instead.
Santiago Gimenez is currently injured, but Milan are waiting for offers, as FC Porto and Lazio are known to be interested in the Mexico international.
Others who could well be pushed out too are Samuele Ricci, who is a target for Atalanta, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
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Meanwhile, it is no secret that Rafael Leao will be sold if a €50m plus add-ons proposal comes in, but so far Turkish teams Besiktas, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce do not seem prepared to reach that.
If Leao goes, then they can turn their focus to a replacement, including Roma’s €30m-rated Matias Soulé.
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