AC Milan’s high‑priced transfers face scrutiny as Japanese midfielder draws interest

Analysis of TransferMarkt data shows AC Milan as the second‑biggest spender among Italian clubs, ranking 16th in Europe with cumulative outlays near €610 million since 2022. The club completed 126 transactions, including recent signings such as Tijjani Reijnders (€20 m), Samuel Chukwueze (€21.1 m), Christian Pulisic (€20.8 m) and Santiago Giménez (€30 m). Despite the heavy investment, analysts note that Milan’s results lag behind rivals like Inter, which achieve better outcomes with far lower spending.

In parallel, AC Milan have been linked with Japanese defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano of FSV Mainz 05. Mainz reportedly value the 25‑year‑old at around €60 million, and Milan face competition from Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund. Sano’s standout performance at the 2026 World Cup, including a long‑range goal against Brazil, has intensified the transfer buzz.

The combined scrutiny highlights Milan’s challenge of converting substantial financial outlays into on‑field success while navigating a crowded market for emerging talent.