Milan had signaled the intention to sign a new backup goalkeeper a few weeks back, and they are zeroing in on Marco Sportiello. He’s on an expiring contract, like Ciprian Tatarusanu and Antonio Mirante, the two secondary options currently on the squad. The latter has featured regularly this season due to Mike Maignan’s calf injuries.
According to Sky, the Rossoneri are in advanced talks to secure an early signature to prevent the 30-year-old from going elsewhere or re-upping with Atalanta. The shot-stopper started for La Dea from 2013 to 2017, allowing 115 goals in 84 matches. He was eventually supplanted by Etrit Berisha and spent two campaigns on loan at Fiorentina and Frosinone. He returned in 2019 and stayed in Bergamo to deputize Pierluigi Gollini and Juan Musso.
As per Calciomercato, Milan will offer Sportiello a three-year contract to take over from their current veterans. They might seal the deal in a hurry and have scheduled a meeting with his agent Giuseppe Riso in the next few days.
The goalie has appeared in six matches so far while his teammate recovered from a facial fracture, conceding seven times and keeping two clean sheets. He has amassed 190 total appearances in Serie A.
Our Take on Milan Eyeing Sportiello
While still fairly solid, Ciprian Tatarusanu is 36, while Antonio Mirante is 39. Probably one of the two will stay as the third string. The Rossoneri need more Italian-grown players to fill out their Champions League list. Signing a reliable deputy shot-stopper on a free is one of the easiest ways to do it. The only real competition could come from somebody offering him a starting job, but it’s unlikely.
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |