AC Milan's winter transfer target: 32 years old & can't even get playing time at a Premier League relegation-threatened club

The current Serie A feels like a retirement home for veterans and fallen stars, especially with AC Milan, the league's top club, making increasingly unconventional signings.

According to the latest from UK media CMS, representatives from AC Milan have arrived in London aiming to secure a winter loan for West Ham’s 32-year-old German striker, Krzysztof Piatek, likely including a mandatory purchase clause triggered by a certain number of appearances during the loan period.

It is reported that Piatek earns £100,000 weekly at West Ham, and Milan is currently only covering the loan fee. Milan’s officials will meet West Ham executives within the next 24 hours to negotiate the loan deal. Piatek’s agent has publicly stated that a winter move might be a win-win situation and the best choice for everyone involved.

Piatek joined West Ham in the summer of 2024 from Dortmund for €27 million but has clearly struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Despite being a German international striker, he has only scored 3 goals so far for the Hammers, a disappointing tally for a forward. West Ham currently languishes in the relegation zone, closely tied to their ineffective attack.

Now 32 years old, Piatek stands 1.89 meters tall, is a right-footed striker, valued at €8 million by Transfermarkt, and contracted with West Ham until 2028. This season, he has started only 5 matches across all competitions, mostly coming off the bench with 9 substitute appearances, totaling 413 minutes without goals or assists.

AC Milan, the leading club in Serie A, now considers signing a 32-year-old forward who can’t get minutes at a Premier League relegation-threatened team; it speaks to the decline of both the Rossoneri and Serie A... However, the slower pace of Serie A might suit Piatek well.