While January unfolds, the Rossoneri are already shaping their 2026 strategy between stability and opportunity
AC Milan’s transfer strategy is moving on two parallel tracks: one grounded in certainty, the other driven by opportunity. As the winter window continues, club executives are already looking beyond the short term, focusing on contracts that will expire in the summer of 2026 and could define the next phase of the Rossoneri project.
At the heart of Milan’s internal planning is Mike Maignan. The French goalkeeper has become a pillar of the team, both on the field and in the locker room, and the club sees him as non-negotiable in its future vision. Renewal talks are active and ongoing, with no concerns about the player’s commitment. The remaining hurdle is purely technical and financial, tied to agent commissions. Milan’s intention is to reach an agreement well in advance, avoiding the risk of entering the final year of the contract with uncertainty surrounding one of Europe’s elite goalkeepers.
While securing Maignan represents continuity, Milan are also exploring a potential market opportunity that could emerge next summer: Leon Goretzka. The Bayern Munich midfielder is under contract until June 2026, and although no formal negotiations have begun, Milan are closely monitoring his situation.
Goretzka’s profile fits a very specific logic. He is not a developmental signing, nor a speculative investment. Instead, he would be a short-to-medium-term reinforcement designed to raise the competitive level immediately. At Bayern, Goretzka has been a constant presence for years, winning everything domestically and internationally, and establishing himself as a physically dominant, tactically intelligent midfielder.
The question is not his quality, but his future intentions. Goretzka has yet to decide whether to extend his stay in Munich or consider a new challenge abroad. Milan’s early contacts are aimed at understanding exactly that: whether the player would be open to leaving Germany, and under what conditions.
Financially, the deal would require balance. Goretzka currently earns around €7 million per season — a figure that does not align with Milan’s wage policy. However, a free transfer changes the equation. Without a transfer fee, Milan could justify a high-level salary, provided it remains within sustainable limits. A reduced wage, closer to €5 million per year, could make the move viable if the player prioritizes sporting ambition over maximum earnings.
There are also physical considerations. In recent seasons, Goretzka has experienced several injuries, including a significant hip surgery in 2021. Still, his availability remains largely positive. This season he has been involved in nearly every Bundesliga match, starting the majority, and continues to contribute regularly in domestic competition. His reduced role in the Champions League is more a reflection of Bayern’s depth than a sign of decline.
For Milan, the idea is not immediate, nor guaranteed. It is a scenario under evaluation, one that would only become concrete if conditions align on both sides. The club is aware that competition from other leagues — including financially stronger destinations — could emerge.
What is clear, however, is Milan’s broader approach. The Rossoneri are no longer operating window by window. They are planning ahead, protecting their core assets like Maignan while staying alert to elite-level opportunities that could arise without transfer fees. Stability first, ambition second — but never without calculation.
