AC Milan is close to appointing Igli Tare as their new sporting director. Here’s what his transfer history at Lazio reveals about how he might rebuild the Rossoneri.
Igli Tare Lazio Signings
Igli Tare built his reputation at Lazio by consistently finding value in the transfer market. During his 15-year spell as sporting director, Tare signed stars like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Luis Alberto, and Ciro Immobile — all brought in for under €10 million and all crucial to Lazio’s success.
Immobile was signed after underwhelming stints in both Germany and Spain and went on to become Lazio’s all-time leading scorer. Luis Alberto arrived from Liverpool after a quiet loan at Deportivo. Milinkovic-Savic was picked up from Genk, developed into one of Serie A’s most complete midfielders, and is still regarded as a “dream” target for Milan.
Based on these signings, it’s clear Tare’s core philosophy is to identify undervalued or overlooked players, develop them in the right system, and — when needed — sell at a profit.
Igli Tare Trophies and Track Record
Tare wasn’t just a shrewd scout — he helped Lazio punch above their weight in Italy. Under his watch, the club won three Coppa Italia trophies and six Supercoppa Italiana titles. They also qualified for the Champions League multiple times, despite operating on a modest budget compared to Italy’s heavyweights.
From Miroslav Klose to Felipe Anderson, from Hernanes to Stefan de Vrij, Tare’s record includes both bargain veterans and young stars.
While not all transfers were successful — names like Muriqi and Akpa Akpro didn’t pan out — his hit rate was high, particularly considering the financial constraints.
AC Milan Transfer Budget
Tare’s approach could prove vital for Milan, who are entering a challenging summer. With no European football and a reportedly zero starting budget, the club may have to sell before buying.
Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders are among those attracting interest, and their exits could help fund a rebuild.
However, this is a scenario Tare knows well — limited funds, high expectations, and the need to unearth hidden gems. It could even play to his strengths.
Milan Transfer Strategy Under Igli Tare
Don’t expect flashy spending. Tare tends to prioritize fit, work ethic, and tactical flexibility. Unlike former directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara — who perhaps went for big names and prestige signings — Tare’s model leans toward long-term value over name recognition.
At Milan, he’ll work alongside Geoffrey Moncada, who remains as technical director and head of scouting. The duo could strike a balance between analytics-driven scouting and Tare’s more instinctive, traditional methods. Fans of the Rossoneri will be hoping that together, they might be capable of producing smarter, more sustainable recruitment.
Milan’s Striker Search
Finding a striker will be one of Tare’s immediate challenges. Milan are in the market for a No. 9 to bolster their options up front. With Tammy Abraham set to return to Roma following his loan, the club is looking to provide competition for Santiago Gimenez.
Luka Jovic’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, but Milan has an option to extend it by a further year — whether they will remains to be seen.
Given Tare’s track record with Immobile, fans should watch for a similar type of signing — a forward with untapped potential, rather than an expensive headline-grabber.
The question is whether Milan can afford to wait for another Immobile-style transformation or if they’ll require an instant-impact player. Either way, Tare will need to get creative.
Milan Manager Search
Milan’s campaign has been labeled a “failed season” by CEO Giorgio Furlani, and with no European football, choosing the right manager is crucial. Igli Tare is reportedly keen on reuniting with Maurizio Sarri, though past tensions make that difficult.
Milan is also targeting Vincenzo Italiano, who is leaning toward staying at Bologna, and Raffaele Palladino, of Fiorentina. The next coach will directly shape how Tare builds the squad.
You can check out our more in-depth analysis of Milan’s managerial candidates here: Putting AC Milan’s Rumoured Managerial Candidates Under the Microscope
