AC Milan are reportedly revisiting their interest in Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi, a player who has long been on the club’s radar. La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Calciomercato) report how the 29-year-old Italian forward, who recently returned from a seven-month layoff due to an Achilles tendon injury, has expressed his ambition to play for a top club and experience Champions League football.
Berardi’s recent performance in Sassuolo’s 5-0 victory over Cittadella has reignited discussions about his potential move to a bigger club. In a recent interview, he candidly spoke about his readiness for such a transfer, stating that he has matured and is now prepared for the challenges of playing for a top team.
Milan’s renewed interest comes at a time when they are facing challenges with their current right-wing options. While Christian Pulisic has been impressive, Samuel Chukwueze, acquired from Villarreal for €20 million plus €8 million in bonuses in the summer of 2023, has struggled to make an impact. The Nigerian international has played only 194 minutes across Serie A and Champions League matches, failing to live up to expectations.
For Milan to pursue Berardi, they would likely need to offload Chukwueze first, both for financial reasons and to comply with squad registration rules. Chukwueze’s contract runs until 2028, with a net salary of €4 million per season. There are reportedly some interested parties in the Saudi Arabian league.
However, any potential deal for Berardi faces several hurdles. Milan would need to consider the financial implications of selling Chukwueze, including his amortization costs and the potential loss of tax benefits from the Growth Decree. Additionally, there are concerns about Berardi’s fitness following his serious injury, his age, and Sassuolo’s likely high asking price.
