Honest Ahanor has seized his opportunity once Atalanta lost multiple defenders due to injury, quickly adapting to a new role as the left-braccetto and providing excellent performances. It’ll be difficult to unseat him, even after Sead Kolasinac, Giorgio Scalvini, and Odilon Kossounou return.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan had a chance to acquire him from Genoa in the summer, but he was too expensive to their liking. They have hired somebody who’s well familiar with the player, Simone Tognon, who worked in Rossoblù’s youth system before joining Massimiliano Allegri’s staff. He followed the growth of the talent over the years and suggested onboarding him.

The Rossoneri had different ideas and a strict budget to replace Theo Hernandez. They elected to purchase Pervis Estupinan for €17M instead of spending €20M, plus a resale clause, for Ahanor.

The 17-year-old had just six Serie A appearances, mostly on the wing, prior to this campaign. Per La Repubblica, Italy are eagerly waiting for him to obtain the citizenship to call him up. He was born in Aversa to Nigerian parents and was raised in Genova. The player doesn’t have doubts about his allegiance, but the bureaucratic process has been lengthy.

Our Take on Milan and Ahanor

Considering they invested over €30M in Christopher Nkunku later in the summer, they could have easily added both the prodigy and Estupinan. It would have been a big gamble, considering his lack of experience, and Allegri isn’t the most trusting coach when it comes to youngsters, but they would have addressed two positions in one swoop. His quick growth and readiness likely surprised Atalanta too, but they were rewarded for the courage other top Serie A sides often lack.