Milan’s new look midfield in 2025-26: Reijnders out and three new signings | OneFootball

Luka Modric is ready to sign his contract with Milan as the Rossoneri are preparing for significant changes in the middle of the park, but how will Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield look in 2025-26?

New Milan director Tare didn’t lie when he said at the end of June that the Rossoneri would make big changes to their midfield for 2025-26.

The Serie A giants had already sold Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City and were on the verge of signing Samuele Ricci from Torino.

How Milan’s midfield will change in 2025-26

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 09: A general view of the inside of the stadium as players of AC Milan acknowledge the fans after 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)

The Italy international has already begun pre-season preparation at Milanello, while Real Madrid legend Modric landed at Malpensa Airport on Monday to start his spell with the Rossoneri.

Massimiliano Allegri didn’t reveal his ideal Milan system in his unveiling press conference last week, but even if the Italian tactician deployed a three-man defence during most of his latest tenure at Juventus, he’s expected to switch to a 4-3-3 system at Milan this season.

Technically, Ricci and Modric will compete for a starting spot as the Rossoneri’s regista next season, while Youssouf Fofana will be a box-to-box midfielder with more defensive duties than a new signing that Milan hope to welcome in the coming days.

It’s no secret that Milan’s primary target to replace Reijnders is Club Brugge talent Ardon Jashari, who has reportedly snubbed offers from West Ham and Nottingham Forest to move to San Siro next season.

On paper, Milan’s starting midfield next season will be formed by Ricci (or Modric), plus Fofana and Jashari, but it remains to be seen whether the Rossoneri will reach an agreement for the Swiss midfielder.

Who will leave Milan after Reijnders?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 18: Tijani Reijnders of Manchester City looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group G match between Manchester City FC and Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field on June 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Rossoneri are also ready to listen to offers for USMNT international Yunus Musah, who, as admitted by Tare, doesn’t have the required characteristics to play under Allegri next season.

Yacine Adli and Ismael Bennacer are also not part of the Rossoneri’s plans, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is seen as a midfielder who can provide goal-scoring opportunities in his third season at San Siro.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The ex-Chelsea midfielder struggled with injuries last term but had netted six goals and provided two assists in 29 Serie A appearances in his debut campaign at San Siro.

“He’s one of the most complete midfielders in the European panorama,” Tare said during his unveiling press conference in June.

“He can be a key player for Milan next season: we must try to manage the injury situation better, but the player’s value is beyond discussion.

“He can also be replaced with some new additions with different characteristics to Reijnders, also because we want to play with a three-man midfield that can be transformed during the game.”