AC Milan confirm ninth and tenth summer signings

 

AC Milan have confirmed the arrival of Villarreal midfielder Samu Castillejo and Genoa defender Diego Laxalt on permanent deals.

 

The Italian giants have been one of the busiest Serie A teams in the transfer window this summer and have now concluded their business for the new season with the arrivals of Castillejo and Laxalt.

 

Milan have sent Carlos Bacca to Villarreal and Gianluca Lapadula to Genoa in return for their two new signings, to complete another whirlwind summer for Gennaro Gattuso's side.

 

The Rossoneri spent €30m to sign Bacca from Sevilla in 2015 but the Colombia international failed to completely settle at the club.

 

Despite scoring more at least 14 more league goals than any other Milan player during his time at the club (31), Bacca will be considered a failure at San Siro.

 

AC Milan confirm ninth and tenth summer signings

 

Castillejo developed into an important player for Villarreal during the last three years, even finishing as their second highest WhoScored rated player in La Liga last season (7.16).

 

The Yellow Submarines had a far superior win ratio in La Liga last season when Castillejo started (60%) compared to when he did not feature from the off (23.1%).

 

Castillejo played a direct hand in 11 goals in 30 league appearances for the Spanish side last term, while also winning the WhoScored Man of the Match award on three occasions.

 

Laxalt, meanwhile, has also spent the last three years at Genoa but has now secured a move to Milan in a deal worth as much as €18m (£16.1m).

 

The former Inter defender will provide competition down the left hand side of Milan’s defence, capable of playing at left-back and left wing-back. 

 

Laxalt started 103 of 114 league matches during his time at Genoa, with only three outfielders featuring in more Serie A minutes over the same period. 

 

The 25-year-old played a direct hand in 18 league goals over the last three Serie A campaigns (seven goals, 11 assists), while also making four appearances at the 2018 World Cup for Uruguay.