Milan consider Colombo’s maturation complete – he will return and stay

Lorenzo Colombo is not even a third of the way through his loan spell with Monza yet, but AC Milan already have a plan regarding his future beyond the end of the season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report that Milan plan to extend Olivier Giroud’s deal by one season and sign a striker for him to pass the baton to like Jonathan David, but given the Frenchman will turn 38 next season they also need a third reliable option.

Colombo seems to be the ideal man for the role. Milan will get him back next summer, at the end of his loan at Monza, and he will probably stay this time after various spells in Serie B and Serie A.

The idea is that he would be an upgrade on Luka Jovic who is yet to make any meaningful contribution, while Colombo at 21 years of age now seems mature.

His growth is demonstrated by the numbers: in his first year in Cremona, one goal in 13 appearances. A season later, at SPAL, six in 34 games. Then the leap to Serie A: five goals with Lecce (including the decisive penalty to secure survival) in 33 games, and now three in the first nine appearances with Monza.

Colombo’s record is improving but it is his characteristics which are an added bonus: he is physical thanks to his size but also quick and has a very powerful shot on him.