Top five strikers AC Milan should target this summer

The Rossoneri are entering the 2023-24 season without Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimović can no longer be found playing as a forward at AC Milan. Why? Because the 41-year-old Swede has finally decided to hang up his boots. This was announced after the final game of AC Milan's 2022-23 season against Hellas Verona.

Now, AC Milan and other Serie A clubs have already witnessed what a good goalscoring forward can bring to the squad, having seen Napoli lift the Italian league title. The Milan outfit can't rely on injury-prone and misfiring forwards Divock Origi and Ante Rebić. And with Zlatan no longer at the club to aid any chance of goal-scoring involvement and an ageing Olivier Giroud, the Rossoneris will need to fix this forward puzzle in their game for the 2023-24 season.

5. Gianluca Scamacca (West Ham)

Also among the names doing rounds in relation to AC Milan's striker search is West Ham's number 11. The Italian centre forward is still 24 and seemingly will be delighted to head back to his home country after a difficult first year in England.

After scoring 16 goals in 41 games for US Sassuolo in all competitions, West Ham decided to bring Scamacca to London. The spell wasn't all too pleasing having appeared just 27 times across all competitions. Now AC Milan could lure the sulking striker for a top role in Milan's forward line. However, they will have to deter Jose Mourinho's attempts to take him to AS Roma rather.

4. Alvaro Morata (Atlético de Madrid)

We have given age much consideration in speculating AC Milan's striker needs. But how about a proven world-class player like former Real Madrid man Alvaro Morata?

The Rossoneris have already seen what a 30-plus Giroud brings to the table. And in the case of Morata, who is still just 30 years old and has bags of experience playing for big guns like Juventus and Real Madrid, he might be a good balanced fit too. Milan could tempt Morata to move back to Italy where he met his wife, Alice Campello during his days with Juventus. His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024, so a move can be on the cards for a decent fee if not free.

3. Marko Arnautovic (Bologna)

Until Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara were at the helm of AC Milan before being sacked, it was believed AC Milan wanted the Austrian International. Even though both Maldini and Massara have been eluded by the club's staff now, Arnautovic could really help the Rossoneri's dire search for a striker.

Back in 2009-10, the young Marko Arnautovic might have gone unnoticed under Jose Mourinho's treble-winning season with Inter. But Arnautovic was part of the team and is a treble-winner on Italian soil. The former Stoke City and West Ham forward had a decent 2022-23 season with Bologna scoring 10 goals in 21 Serie A games. The Bologna star could help Milan end their striker search without even having to travel to any other country.

2. Jonathan David (LOSC Lille)

Back in August 2019, a shiny young Portuguese winger was acquired from the French side LOSC Lille by AC Milan. If you couldn't guess the name, it's Rafael Leão. The Milan hierarchy and teammates are very pleased with that decision going by the impact he has had on the club's game.

Now in search of an out-and-out striker, AC Milan could once again have a glance at another Lille star. The Canadian Jonathan David is a hot property in this summer's transfer window. The guy notched up a tally of 24 goals in 2023 Ligue 1 and was just 5 behind Kylian Mbappe for the top scorer podium finish.

1. Folarin Balogun (Arsenal)

He is just 22 years old and with AC Milan's ageing forwards line, Balogun could be a step in the future. Although he won't come at any cheap.

Folarin Balogun spent last season away on loan from Premier League side Arsenal. He had an extraordinary loan spell in France's Ligue 1 having scored 21 goals in 37 appearances for Stade de Reims. Now back in Arsenal's pre-season plans, Mikel Arteta will have to weigh his decisions religiously as to whether let AC Milan acquire their 'dream' signing or keep Balogun within the mix.