AC Milan are entering the new Serie A season in a state of genuine transition, with Ruben Amorim pressing to put his stamp on the squad before the transfer window closes on August 31. The signing of Belgian winger Diego Moreira for close to 70 million euros is the clearest statement yet of the direction Amorim wants to take, and it has direct consequences for Rafael Leao. The Portuguese forward, still the club's highest-paid player alongside Mike Maignan, has been told he is no longer guaranteed a starting place. Amorim confirmed as much after the 4-2 pre-season win over Manchester United on August 15, a result that gave the club its first victory of pre-season and highlighted Samuel Chukwueze as a player reborn under the new manager. Leao missed that game through a minor fitness issue, but a scheduled face-to-face meeting with RedBird Capital owner Gerry Cardinale is expected to clarify his future.

Off the pitch, the squad is being trimmed with purpose. Striker Santiago Gimenez is close to joining Porto, defender David Odogu has joined Toulouse on loan, and Zachary Athekame has moved permanently to Lyon. Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori are also available. Amorim has requested five or six further additions before the deadline, though the club is unlikely to meet that number in full. Maignan and Adrien Rabiot remain absent from training after their World Cup involvement, though Amorim has confirmed the situation was planned. Milan open their Serie A campaign away at Torino on August 23.