AC Milan have shortlisted five players amid their plans to reinforce the striking department ahead of next season, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
The Rossoneri have endured an abysmal campaign by their standards. They have relinquished their Scudetto crown to Napoli and are facing a fight to secure Champions League qualification.
Stefano Pioli led his side to the Champions League semi-final, where they were thwarted by next-door neighbours Inter Milan.
Milan will finish the season trophyless, but they are keen to go out on a high with a place in next season’s Champions League still up for grabs.
The Rossoneri swatted aside already-relegated Sampdoria 5-1 at San Siro Stadium, with Olivier Giroud further proving his worth to the club hierarchy with a sublime hat trick.
The France international striker has been a standout performer for Milan this term, racking up 11 goals and five assists in 31 Serie A appearances.
Giroud also spurred the Rossoneri to the Champions League semi-final with five goals and two assists in 12 matches, proving a central figure in Pioli’s side.
Milan recognise Giroud’s efforts in the team and have already tied the 36-year-old to a new deal that will see him remain at San Siro until the end of next season.
However, they are pressing on with plans for a long-term successor to the Frenchman and have five players on their shortlist.
West Ham United’s Gianluca Scamacca, Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic, RB Salzburg’s Noah Okafor and Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino are on the club’s radar.
Scamacca could leave West Ham this summer after a torrid debut campaign in the Premier League, while Morata has also been linked with a move away from Atletico.
Milan also hold a long-term interest in Okafor, while Firmino can join on a free transfer, with the Brazilian striker set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The Serie A giants have laid out their summer plans, but it all depends on securing Champions League qualification, which will allow the club a bigger transfer budget.
