AC Milan set for last minute squad clear out

The Rossoneri will look to offload a number of fringe players before the transfer window slams shut, as coach Vincenzo Montella runs the rule over his squad

With just days remaining of the summer transfer window, AC Milan will look to trim their squad and offloaded some of their fringe players.

The Rossoneri had endured a quiet summer, but Chinese investment saw them eventually secured five new signings.

However, they have a number of players who are not expected to feature in coach Vincenzo Montella’s plans, and the club are keen to get them off the wage bill, according to Il Milanista.

After teenage sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma established himself as first choice goalkeeper last season, playing time for fellow custodians Diego Lopez and Gabriel have become all the more difficult to come by. With the duo no longer needed, Milan will look to sell them before the window slams shut.

Spaniard Lopez has attracted interest from Premier League club Chelsea, but may be tempted by the host of clubs in his homeland who are vying for his signature.

Meanwhile, Gabriel has been linked with Torino, who could push for a move if their ambitious efforts to bring in Joe Hart from Manchester City fail.

Further up the pitch, young midfielder Jose Mauri arrived from Parma last summer but has struggled to establish himself in the first team at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, with Milan keen to send him out on loan so as to continue his development.

The Argentine is set to meet with Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani on Monday to discuss potential destinations.

After an opening day victory over Torino was followed up by a heavy defeat at the hands of Napoli, Montella has run the rule over his new squad and decided to get rid of Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda. The former CSKA Moscow man is out of contract at the end of the season, but Milan will look to sell him now to generate a small income.

Similarly, striker Luiz Adriano has failed to impress Montella, who turned to new signing Gianluca Lapadula when his side needed a goal against Napoli. The Brazilian has flopped since arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2015 and it appears his time at the club is drawing to an end.