Marco Giampaolo wants one key signing if he accepts Milan job | OneFootball

As Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo draws closer to taking over at Milan, he already has sights set on who he will bring with him.

The former Empoli tactician is now the firm favourite to take over at San Siro, after Simone Inzaghi committed his future to Lazio.

Paolo Maldini has earmarked Giampaolo as the man for the job and will officially move for him after taking over as sporting director.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the 51-year-old has already asked Sampdoria to let him leave and not see out the final year of his contract.

His thoughts are already in Milan and a report in Corriere dello Sport insists that he has made it clear he wants to bring Dennis Praet with him.

The Belgian midfielder has been linked with a move away from the Marassi this summer and his future may now lie with the Rossoneri.

In the past, his coach has made no secret of the admiration he has for the 25-year-old.

“Dennis is a great player and in his role, he can become one of the best in Europe,” he said of Praet.

“Playing in front of the defence, Praet can be the [Luka] Modrić or Miralem Pjanić of tomorrow.

“He knows how to play, how to fight and he has the right competitive spirit.”

In addition to Praet, who takes priority, Giampaolo would also like the Diavolo to snap up defender Joachim Andersen from the Blucerchiati.

While he remains the heavy favourite, if something does go wrong in negotiations, Gazzetta suggest that Eusebio Di Francesco and Roberto De Zerbi would also be considered.