Olivier Giroud and Luka Jovic will continue to share the task of leading the line for AC Milan, but a report has claimed that only one is likely to remain beyond June.
La Gazzetta dello Sport recall how Jovic appeared lost after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt for Real Madrid and then Fiorentina, but he is now making a mark again at Milan and he looks back to his confident best.
Giving up at the age of 26 was not an option, especially when at 21 he convinced Real Madrid to shell out €60m to sign him. Jovic worked on himself and Stefano Pioli assured him that his moment would come.
When that moment arrived, the numbers followed: the Serbian has amassed six goals (and one assist) in the last eight games across all competitions at an average of a goal every 60 minutes.
Geoffrey Moncada spoke before the Udinese game about the possibility of a renewal and he left everything open, because the paradoxical problem is that not everything depends on the player concerned.
To frame the situation, we need to start from a certainty: in the summer (a January signing seems to be ruled out) a strong and fairly young centre-forward will arrive at Milanello.
The names that have circulated so far with the greatest credibility are those of Jonathan David, Serhou Guirassy and Benjamin Sesko, though other targets have been mentioned.
Then, as Moncada himself said in that same interview, there are others that have not yet emerged in the media but on which the club is working secretly.
It is in the context of a new addition being made that the scenario makes more sense. Giroud, whose contract is expiring, becomes decisive in the planning.
At the moment the Frenchman has not yet decided what he will do next season. Just like a year ago, in his case there is no rush for a decision with the next two-three months key.
Going into concrete terms: if the 37-year-old were to continue at this pace, it is reasonable to assume that he would want to have another season at Milanello. Maybe not as a starter, but still as a highly decorated alternative.
If, however, the last few months were less satisfactory, he would look around. Giroud is tempted by the world of the MLS in American, also for subsequent career developments once he says goodbye to playing football.
The conclusion therefore for Jovic is simple, considering that his contract will also expire in June: taking the purchase of a new striker as a given, Giroud’s permanence (in addition to Noah Okafor’s adaptability) would close the door.
