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AC Milan, along with Inter Milan and Juventus, are among the three biggest clubs in Italian football.
The Rossoneri came close to ending their decade-long Serie A drought last season, but were pipped to the finish line by Inter. They have done well so far this campaign too, trailing the defending champions by four points after 23 games.
Despite having a 40-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 35-year-old Olivier Giroud, Milan have one of the youngest squads in Serie A. That augurs well for their domestic and European renaissance.
After years of mid-table mediocrity, Milan seem to be on the way up. Although their halcyon days of the 2000s are not immediately on the anvil, the Rossoneri have the players to help them get there.
On that note, here's a look at the five most valuable Milan players at the moment:
#5 Sandro Tonali - €35 million
Sandro Tonali is one of the best young defensive midfielders in the Italian top flight at the moment.
The 21-year-old has already racked up over 50 appearances across competitions for AC Milan since arriving on loan from relegated Pescara in the summer of 2020. Considering the player's impact, the Rossoneri made his move permanent last summer.
This season, Tonali opened his account for Milan, and has scored twice and assisted as many times (all in the league) in nearly 30 games across competitions.
He will look to continue his assured performances in the middle third as the Rossoneri seek to end their 11-year league title drought.
#4 Rafael Leao - €35 million
Rafael Leao is another young player who is making heads turn with his impressive performances for the Rossoneri.
The Portugal winger, 21, has contributed 21 goals and 14 assists in nearly 100 games across competitions for AC Milan. That includes six goals and four assists in Serie A, and three more goal contributions (two goals and an assist) in two other competitions this season.
Impressively, this is the third straight season the 21-year-old has racked up at least six Serie A goals. In the process, Leao has more than lived up to his €29.5 million price tag, which Milan dished out to Lille in the summer of 2019.
With a little less than half the season remaining, the Portugal winger is on course for the best campaign of his young club career.
#3 Fikayo Tomori - €45 million
Fikayo Tomori has had a solid stint with AC Milan since arriving from Chelsea on loan last January.
The Englishman impressed enough for Milan to make his move permanent in the summer. The 24-year-old centre-back has looked solid in his nearly 50 appearances across competitions for the Rossoneri, and has also scored twice.
Tomori's lone strike this season came in the Champions League, where Milan finished a dismal fourth in their group. Nevertheless, he will look to continue his good form at both ends as Stefano Pioli's side seek their first league title in 11 years.
#2 Theo Hernandez - €48 million
Theo Hernandez has been a revelation for AC Milan since his arrival from Real Madrid in the summer of 2019.
Widely regarded as one of the best active left-backs in the game, the 24-year-old Frenchman has made over 100 appearances across competitions for the Rossoneri.
During this period, he has contributed an impressive 19 goals and 20 assists. He is already up to four goals and seven assists for the season, with all but two of those goal contributions coming in the league.
Hernandez has been the subject of interest from many top clubs across Europe. However, Milan recently extended his contract till 2026, and also tripled his wages to fend off potential suitors.
#1 Franck Kessie - €48 million
Franck Kessie has been a revelation at AC Milan since his arrival on loan from Atalanta in the summer of 2017.
The Cote d'Ivoire international has grown by leaps and bounds in the red and black half of Milan. The Rossoneri made the 25-year-old's move permanent two years later.
Kessie has made over 200 appearances for the club, scoring 35 times and laying out 16 assists. Most of the midfielder's strikes have come from the penalty spot. This season, Kessie has contributed five goals and an assist across competitions.
He will run out of contract this summer, but hasn't yet signed an extension with AC Milan yet due to disagreement over wages.
As per recent reports, Real Madrid appear to be the frontrunners to secure his services at the end of the season. Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the fray for the versatile player.
