‘Milan first!’ – Journalist infuriated with timing of Okafor’s Leeds transfer

Respected Milan journalist Carlo Pellegatti is furious with the manner in which the Rossoneri have handled their attacking transfer window this summer.

In a post on Instagram, the Italian slammed Milan for seemingly not prioritising their own needs above those of others.

Pellegatti questions why the club sold Noah Okafor to Leeds without having a replacement lined up immediately and why the Rossoneri’s pursuit of Conrad Harder has to wait on Sporting’s ability to find a replacement.

Faro, Portugal – July 31: Conrad Harder of Sporting CP During the Portuguese Super Cup Match Between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Stadium Algarve on July 31, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by GUALTER FATIA/GETTY IMAGES)

Milan suffered defeat at San Siro in their 2025-26 Serie A season opener, losing 2-1 to newly promoted Cremonese in a match where the Rossoneri struggled on all fronts.

Star player Rafael Leao continues to suffer from an injury and reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport today claim that the Portuguese forward will also miss the club’s next game against Lecce.

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia match at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Leao played up front for a large chunk of pre-season, as the Rossoneri were linked to a number of attacking targets across the summer – including Dusan Vlahovic and Rasmus Hojlund. The former now looks set to stay in Turin whilst Manchester United’s Danish striker is likely to join Napoli.

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Analyzing MilanS Attack: A Summer of Frustration and Uncertainty

The Rossoneri’s summer transfer window has been a source of considerable debate,underscored by the recent Serie A defeat and ongoing injury concerns. While journalist Carlo Pellegatti has publicly voiced his concerns, we delve deeper, examining the key issues and providing data-driven insights.

Key Attacking Transfers & Missed Opportunities (2025 Summer)

| Player | Position | Status | Potential Impact |

| :—————— | :———— | :————————– | :—————————————————————————————————————— |

| Noah Okafor | Forward | sold to Leeds | departure leaves a gap in attacking depth, especially with Leao’s injury. |

| Conrad Harder | forward | Pursuit Delayed | Milan’s dependence on Sporting finding a replacement creates uncertainty and delays potential reinforcement. |

| Rafael Leao | Forward | Injured | Absence considerably impacts Milan’s attacking prowess; a key player and goal scorer. |

| Dusan Vlahovic | Forward | Remaining at Juventus | Milan missed out on a perhaps high-impact signing, increasing the pressure to find option attacking options. |

| Rasmus Hojlund | Striker | Likely to join Napoli | Another missed target; the Rossoneri’s failure to secure a top striker leaves them with fewer offensive options. |

Data and Analysis:

Okafor’s Departure: The immediate impact of Okafor’s sale to Leeds is being felt acutely, as he provided depth and versatility to the attack.His absence puts additional pressure on othre existing forwards to step up.

contingent Transfers: Milan’s transfer strategy, hinged on Sporting’s ability to find replacements, appears risky. This is not an accepted practice according to AP style guidelines for timeliness and certainty. Delays can severely hamper team cohesion.

Leao’s Injury: Leao’s injury is a severe setback. His absence deprives Milan of its main goal-scoring threat and creative force. Recent reports point to a lingering muscle injury, showing a lack of due diligence.

Missed Targets: The failure to secure both Vlahovic and Hojlund significantly weakens their attack. AP style promotes clear language: Milan failed to secure. This inability to solidify their attack emphasizes the club’s need to find a more effective and efficient strategy in the transfer market.

Expert Commentary:

“The current situation is far from ideal, and it’s understandable why Pellegatti is frustrated.” – [Your Name/Expert Source,e.g., Former Serie A scout]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is Milan struggling to sign attacking players?

A: Several factors could be at play. Often, the club’s financial limitations, competition from other clubs, player preferences, and strategic decisions greatly impact the transfer activity.

Q: How will Leao’s absence affect Milan’s performance?

A: Leao’s absence will greatly affect goal scoring and offensive efficiency,with a knock on the Milan Attack. He is a key player, and his creativity and goal-scoring abilities are crucial.

Q: What are Milan’s options to improve their attack?

A: They need to identify and pursue alternative attacking targets, give more playing time to promising younger players and reassess their transfer strategy for future windows.

Q: Is the manager to blame?

A: The manager’s performance can be linked to the successes in the transfer window, though, the manager is not always in full control of the players that they have on their roster. It depends on many variables.

Q: What will they do in the January transfer window?

A: The January transfer window is a difficult time to sign players. Milan will need to make prudent choices to address its weaknesses.

Conclusion:

Milan’s current situation is challenging due to its transfer window missteps and injury woes, but by addressing their weaknesses within the constraints of their situation the team can recover.

Marcus Cole

Marcus Cole is a senior football analyst at Archysport with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, college football, and international football leagues. A former NCAA Division I player turned journalist, Marcus brings an insider's understanding of the game to every breakdown. His work focuses on tactical analysis, draft evaluations, and in-depth game previews. When he's not breaking down film, Marcus covers the intersection of football culture and the communities it shapes across America.

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