AC Milan are in the middle of a significant squad overhaul under Ruben Amorim, and the decisions coming out of Milanello this week underline just how ruthlessly the Portuguese coach is stamping his authority on the rebuild. The most striking development is the potential departure of Christopher Nkunku, just one year after his arrival from Chelsea. According to Sky Sport, Amorim has placed the French forward on his list of sellable players alongside Youssouf Fofana and Fikayo Tomori, two players who had been considered important figures at the club. Owner Gerry Cardinale visited Milanello on Thursday, and that summit appears to have clarified which players fall outside Amorim's plans.

The urgency behind these exits is partly financial and partly structural. Milan's summer business has so far centred on the arrivals of Goncalo Ramos from PSG, defender Mario Gila and young centre-back Sankhoun Diawara, but further signings depend on clearing wages and squad numbers before the September 1 deadline. Tijani Reijnders' move from Manchester City to Al Qadsiah, which generated a reported profit of 41.9 million euros, has already helped the books, and Ismael Bennacer's contract was terminated by mutual consent after seven years at the club.

On the pitch, a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in Jakarta last Saturday confirmed that the squad still lacks cohesion. Rafael Leao was described as peripheral throughout, and his future remains unresolved after Milan rejected a 35 million euro offer from Galatasaray. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan is also absent, with his return to Milanello not expected until August 16, leaving him just one week to prepare before the Serie A opener at Torino on August 23.