Capello believes Vlahovic will push Milan and Allegri to Serie A title | OneFootball

Former Milan head coach Fabio Capello believes that Massimiliano Allegri will have assembled a squad that is capable of challenging for the Serie A title if they are able to bring in a 20-goal-per-season striker before the end of the summer, and feels that Dusan Vlahovic is still the perfect fit.

Allegri, who returned to San Siro as Milan head coach at the beginning of the summer, has been through a busy transfer window that began with the sale of Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City, but has since brought the signings of Luka Modric, Samuele Ricci, Pervis Estupinan and Pietro Terracciano.

The Rossoneri have also sealed a deal with Club Brugge for the signing of Ardon Jashari at a cost of €37m, which is set to be the most expensive signing in Serie A so far this window. The Switzerland international completed his medical in the city on Wednesday morning.

Additionally, the Rossoneri are closing in on the signing of right-back Zachary Athekame, and are also still holding out for a new striker to compete and rotate with January recruit Santiago Gimenez.

Capello: ‘Significant’ Jashari cost, but ‘he seems great’

Fabio Capello (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)

Capello gave his assessment of Milan’s summer so far in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Wednesday.

Capello admits that Milan have spent a significant amount for a Serie A team with the signing of Jashari, but expects him to bring a different fuel to the Rossoneri midfield.

“It’s a significant expense for an Italian team,” Capello told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ll admit that I only watched him in the Champions League last year, but the boy seems great to me. Potentially a top player in the future in that role. In short, it’s a coup for Milan as I understand it.”

Capello: Vlahovic ‘has already done it with Fiorentina, and came close under Allegri last time’

Capello went on to explain that Milan still need a reliable goalscoring centre-forward if they are to mount a challenge for the Scudetto this season.

“First and foremost, it’s a question of numbers,” Capello explained.

“There’s only Gimenez in the squad, who left some doubts during his first six months, as did many others.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“He showed a bit, but too little compared to the expense the club incurred, and everyone’s expectations when he arrived.”

The Mexico international joined Milan for a fee of €35m including bonuses from Feyenoord right at the end of the winter transfer window.

“It has to be said that few things went the right way for Milan last year, so Gimenez certainly has some extenuating circumstances as well,” Capello continued.

Capello was then asked if he has a feeling that Milan will compete for the Scudetto and Coppa Italia given that they will not be involved in European competition this coming season.

“I have (that feeling),” Capello confirmed. “I always say it’s easier to celebrate in May if you have a 20-goal striker compared to when you don’t.”

epa11919581 Juventus�s Dusan Vlahovic celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Cagliari Calcio against Juventus FC, in Cagliari, Italy, 23 February 2025. EPA-EFE/FABIO MURRU

Capello was then asked if he thinks Vlahovic could be that 20-goal striker for Milan this year.

He replied: “He already did it for Fiorentina, and even in the last year with Max at Juventus he wasn’t far off. Vlahovic is a striker in the box. He has goals in him if he regains confidence and chances.

“I’ve already said it a few times: He would come in with the desire to redeem himself, and would have less pressure. These are not insignificant details.”