Ruben Amorim places six AC Milan players on transfer list in major squad overhaul

Ruben Amorim isn’t exactly easing into life at Milan. Barely two months into his tenure as AC Milan’s head coach, the Portuguese manager has placed six players on the transfer list, signaling a squad rebuild.

The headline names on the chopping block are Christopher Nkunku, Fikayo Tomori, and Youssouf Fofana. Three players Milan invested serious money in across different windows. Now all three are being shown the door as Amorim looks to recoup roughly €98 million to fund a transformation of the Rossoneri roster.

The money math behind the exits

Milan’s spending on this trio wasn’t trivial. Tomori arrived from Chelsea on a permanent deal back in 2021 for €35 million, Fofana cost €26 million from Monaco in 2024, and Nkunku was the most recent acquisition at €37 million in 2025. Combined, the club sank close to €98 million into three players it now wants to move on from.

Tomori’s contract expires in 2027, leaving him with just one year remaining on his deal. Beyond the core trio, Italian media reports indicate that defenders Odogu and Terracciano, along with forwards Santiago Gimenez and Estupinan, are also being considered for transfer.

Amorim has reportedly told ownership he needs five to six new signings to reshape the squad to his specifications.

How we got here

Amorim landed at Milan in June 2026, replacing Massimiliano Allegri after a season that left the club’s hierarchy deeply unsatisfied. Amorim had built his reputation at Sporting CP before a high-profile stint at Manchester United.

A friendly against Chelsea saw both Tomori and Fofana benched, a fairly public signal of where they stood in the new manager’s plans. The August 13 meeting between Amorim and Cardinale formalized the decision. After that conversation, the transfer list was drawn up.

For Tomori in particular, the situation is a sharp reversal. The English defender was once considered a cornerstone of Milan’s backline, a key figure in the club’s 2022 Scudetto-winning campaign.

Amorim’s bigger vision

RedBird Capital bought Milan in 2022. Cardinale has spoken publicly about building a competitive squad while maintaining financial discipline.

What to watch this transfer window

Milan needs to move players quickly enough to reinvest the proceeds before the window closes. Nkunku figures to attract the most interest given his age and attacking versatility. Fofana and Tomori present different challenges, particularly for Tomori given his contract situation expiring in 2027.

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