AC Milan: The Rossoneri shift Boateng to create room for a stellar deal

Jens Keller of Schalke 04

The sharp acquisition of the Ghanian, completed with haste and to a sensible fee, will be a huge boost to Schalke’s young manager Jens Keller as he aims to build on an impressive first year in charge of the Bundesliga outfit.

Blessed with a fine technique and a nimble touch which compliments his bulky 6ft frame that allows him to power past opponents, his role at Milan was to drop off the forward line to link the midfield with the talented attack of Stephen El Shaarawry and Mario Balotelli.

However, his place in Allegri’s squad was placed under threat towards the end of last season as the Ghanian struggled, only providing two goals and four assists in 25 league starts.

At Schalke, Keller is likely to use him in the same position, but he will be complimented by an array of young attacking talent in Max Meyer, Julian Draxler and Leon Goretzka, who can glide into different positions to create a more fluid, cohesive unit than the one in place at Allegri’s Milan.

Boateng, who is likely to be the player charged with moulding it all together, and the hugely promising German trio will play in support of Dutch goal-machine Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The logic behind Milan’s speedy sale of Boateng is to create a void which is likely to be filled by either Kaka or Japan’s Keisuke Honda, who has been a long-term target of the club.

Kaka has announced he wants to leave Real Madrid as his progression has been blocked by the latest raft of signings at the Bernabeu and with Milan chief Adriano Galliani reportedly saying their former Brazilian is “forever in the club’s hearts”, it has fuelled rumours he could return to the San Siro just four years after making his record-breaking £56 million move to the Spanish capital.

Honda meanwhile, remains the more likely option as the Rossoneri have agreed to sign the Japanese attacking midfielder on a free in January, but the £10 million left behind by Boateng’s departure could allow them to meet CSKA’s valuation in order to sign the player earlier.

Following the exit of Boateng after a mixed three years in Italy, it is certain there will be another arrival at Milanello before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday after the club last week concluded the deal to bring in Alessandro Matri for £10 million.

El Shaarawry and Balotelli are likely to be joined by either Kaka or Honda as Allegri prepares for a rejuvenated assault on Serie A and now the Champions League, just as they wave goodbye to the Ghana international who helped get them there.