Milan’s Ambitious Offensive Overhaul: Nkunku Secured, Dovbyk in Sight

The summer transfer window is in full swing, and AC Milan is making its intentions clear: a comprehensive strengthening of their attacking options is underway. With the highly anticipated arrival of Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea now confirmed, the Rossoneri are simultaneously turning their attention to another significant target, Artem Dovbyk, signaling a serious push to re-establish their formidable presence at the top of Italian and European football.

The Versatile Maestro: Christopher Nkunku Joins the Rossoneri

The streets of Milan are abuzz with the news: Christopher Nkunku has officially landed. Following a swift series of medical examinations and a signature, the dynamic French forward has penned a four-year deal with AC Milan, commanding an annual salary of €5 million. This transfer, an outright purchase, sees Chelsea receiving a substantial €37 million, exclusive of any add-ons. It`s a significant investment, pushing the total cost, including Nkunku`s wages over his contract, well past the €100 million mark—a testament to Milan`s belief in his capabilities.

Nkunku`s profile perfectly aligns with the modern demands of attacking football. Far from a static target man, he operates across the forward line with remarkable fluidity. Capable of playing as a second striker, drifting wide on the flanks, or orchestrating play from an attacking midfield role, his tactical intelligence and versatility are undeniable. His extensive experience, garnered across top leagues in France (PSG), Germany (Leipzig, where he was a Bundesliga top scorer), and England (Chelsea), speaks volumes. Nkunku arrives with an impressive trophy cabinet boasting 14 titles, including a Club World Cup and the 2025 Conference League with Chelsea, where he contributed five goals in just nine appearances.

While his stint in the Premier League, acquired for €65 million in 2023, might not have seen him consistently top the scoring charts, Nkunku was a player of immense quality and adaptability. He frequently demonstrated a generous, all-encompassing contribution to the team – a trait that Milan, seeking to diversify their offensive options beyond a singular focal point, will undoubtedly appreciate. Thankfully, a past ligament injury sustained during his time in Germany has been thoroughly overcome, ensuring he arrives in peak condition.

The Missing Piece: Allegri`s Quest for a Pure Number Nine

Even with Nkunku’s formidable talents, the Rossoneri`s management, particularly under the discerning eye of coach Massimiliano Allegri, recognizes a specific void: the traditional “number nine.” Since the departure of Olivier Giroud, a true fox-in-the-box striker, goals have occasionally been a rare commodity, prompting Allegri to explicitly request a proven goal-scorer who can anchor the attack.

This pursuit leads directly to Ukraine’s Artem Dovbyk. Currently with Roma, Dovbyk has already demonstrated his predatory instincts in Serie A, netting seventeen goals in his debut season with the Giallorossi. His goal-scoring prowess isn`t a recent development; the season prior, at Girona, he was even more prolific, bagging twenty-four goals in thirty-six La Liga matches. Curiously, reports suggest that Roma`s current coach, Gasperini, doesn`t view Dovbyk as “functional” to his tactical setup – a sentiment Milan hopes to capitalize on, with a loan deal even being a possibility.

The striker market is a labyrinth of speculation and rapidly shifting allegiances. While Allegri has reportedly admired Santi Gimenez, his characteristics, much like Nkunku`s, lean more towards a versatile forward rather than the pure area poacher Allegri desires. The potential arrival of two new strikers could significantly reduce Gimenez`s playing time, though he currently appears committed to fighting for his place. To add a layer of delightful confusion to the transfer saga, there was brief talk of Roma being interested in a different “Jimenez,” a near-namesake followed by Como and Bournemouth, but Milan`s focus for that particular player remains elsewhere.

Allegri, ever the pragmatist, has been clear about his priorities. When pressed by the media about potential interest in Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, the coach, with a characteristic hint of professional detachment, stated: “No, because Dusan is a Juventus player. I spoke with the club about player characteristics and what can be achieved. If players with different characteristics arrive, we will find a way.” A diplomatic response that cleverly redirected focus from specific names to the underlying need for goals – a valuable commodity Milan aims to secure at all costs.

With Nkunku’s arrival, AC Milan secures a potent and versatile attacking force. The ongoing pursuit of Artem Dovbyk, a proven goal-scorer, underscores a clear strategic vision to address the team’s offensive requirements. This dual approach – bringing in a dynamic all-rounder and a specialist finisher – suggests that the Rossoneri are not merely patching holes but meticulously crafting an attacking unit designed for sustained success. The stage is set for an exciting season, with Milan poised to unleash a renewed and formidable front line.