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AC Milan are heading into a crucial week in the transfer market, with a new meeting between owner Gerry Cardinale and head coach Ruben Amorim set for the next few days to discuss the final operations that need to be completed before 31 August.

According to Tuttosport, during last week's talks, Amorim not only submitted the list of players who are no longer part of his plans - Fikayo Tomori, Odogu, Youssouf Fofana and Christopher Nkunku - but also requested five or six additions to the squad. He is unlikely to get every player he has asked for, yet some deals are expected to go through. AC Milan want to play a leading role in the final phase of the transfer window and hand the Portuguese coach the reinforcements he wants.

Amorim's three main priorities are clear: a centre-back comfortable in possession, a wing-back capable of moving inside and contributing in attacking returns, and an attacking midfielder.

The player able to operate behind the striker is considered the top priority. After missing out on Karetsas, who opted to join Borussia Dortmund, the leading name at the moment is Ethan Nwaneri, who was not even on the bench yesterday for the Community Shield, which Arsenal won against Manchester City. An initial loan proposal with an option to buy for €40 million was rejected. However, another approach in the coming days, with a different structure, cannot be ruled out. That formula could suit Arsenal, who want to make money from his sale.

In defence, AC Milan are pushing strongly for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Portuguese player from Lecce, for whom the asking price is between €25 million and €30 million. That valuation is considered too high by AC Milan, who are trying to lower the cost by offering midfielder Warren Bondo or defender Filippo Terracciano as part of the deal.

There is also interest from the Premier League. Tiago Gabriel is admired by Bournemouth, Brentford and especially Crystal Palace, who have sold Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea and are now searching for a replacement.

For the wide midfield position, Nicola Zalewski is another name to watch. The 2002-born Atalanta player can operate on either flank. Since Maurizio Sarri took charge in Bergamo, the former Roma player has lost his starting spot for tactical reasons. He could leave, one year after his move to Inter.

Other players linked with AC Milan, including Fiorentina's Dodò and Lazio's Nuno Tavares, are currently in the background. Even so, late surprises in the market cannot be ruled out.