AC Milan are considering a move for PSV Eindhoven attacker Gaston Pereiro over the summer according to a report by Calciomercato. As per Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old Uruguay international’s contract runs out at the end of the season and his agent Paco Casal is eager for the move.
The report goes on to suggest that the player may have the opportunity to move to Italy in the January transfer window (although Milan would have to pay a little token) and is also being pursued by Bologna.
As per the same source, Milan were interested in the attacking midfielder some months ago but were not willing to pay the asking price of €15m. If he would be coming in for free or almost nothing, that would be a welcome development for Milan and Pioli considering what he has to offer.
What would Pereiro bring to Milan and Pioli?
The obvious trait Pereiro adds to the squad is his goal-scoring abilities. Milan have struggled to score goals so far this season and have only scored 11 goals after 12 games (Skysports).
Since Pioli’s first game in charge, a 2-2 draw against Leece, the Rossoneri have failed to score more than a goal per game in five more attempts (Whoscored).
The attacking midfielder scored 10 times and assisted six in the Eredivisie last season (Whoscored). He has only played 84 minutes so far this season but has still scored a goal. He was sidelined with a collarbone injury earlier in the season but has returned to action.
As per Whoscored, Pereiro has scored at least 10 goals a season in the league every year since 2015/16 and his goal contributions would come in handy for Pioli and Milan in an attacking setup. Those numbers are pretty decent for an attacking midfielder but the most important part being the “consistency” which Pereiro brings to the table as well.
The 24-year-old is a tall and physically blessed winger who can also play through the middle as a trequartista and as a secondary striker. His versatility would also see him fit in many formations or attacking setups. At 6″2, the 24-year-old also has an imposing figure that gives him an aerial presence and sees him at an advantage in such situations.
Fast and intelligent on the ball, Gaston Pereiro loves to make runs in the right channels and creates space for his teammates to thrive. Extremely quick on and off the ball, his long-range shooting is a fearsome asset. Never one to shy from a shot, he averaged a decent 2.3 shots per game last season coupled with 0.5 key passes per 90 (Whoscored).
The 10-cap Uruguay international can prove to be a handful for any opposition with his direct style of play. A player blessed with technique, dribbling skills, creativity and work rate.
The Milan squad would no doubt need major additions in different positions and in terms of viable signings, not many better options would come than Pereiro.
None of the many attacking midfielders in Pioli’s squad have scored reliably enough this season and Pereiro’s ability to finish intelligently with either foot would give Marco Silva something a little different in the final third.
