AC Milan’s 10 biggest sales of all time

AC Milan’s 10 biggest sales of all time Make us your Google favourite AC Milan are one of the most recognisable names in the whole of European football. The best team in the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Rossoneri have won countless honours including 19 Serie A titles and seven Champions League crowns. In addition to signing some of the best players in the world over the years, Milan have also sold several top talents for eye-watering transfer fees. Below, sources runs through the 10 biggest sales in Milan's history. 10. Krzysztof Piatek - €24m (to Hertha Berlin, 2020) For a brief period of time, Krzysztof Piatek was one of European football’s most in-form strikers, striking fear into Serie A defences. The Poland forward left his homeland for Genoa in 2018 where he scored 13 goals in just half a season, earning a quick move to Milan in the January transfer window. Piatek scored a further nine league goals in the six months after making that move, but quickly lost his touch the following season, scoring only four times in 18 games. That prompted another January move, with a loan switch to Hertha Berlin eventually becoming permanent for €24m in 2020. Any day spent as a Rossonero is a good day: this is Piatek’s first one! Ogni giorno passato da rossonero è un buon giorno: vero Krzysztof? #WelcomePiatek pic.twitter.com/Ew5DXVn2N4 — AC Milan (@acmilan) January 24, 2019 9. Theo Hernandez - €25m (to Al-Hilal, 2025) Theo Hernandez joined this list when he became the latest European superstar to join the riches of the Saudi Pro League in 2025. The France international was linked with Premier League clubs during an eye-catching spell at San Siro, but he ended up joining Al-Hilal after a bust-up with the Milan hierarchy. Hernandez made 262 appearances across a six-year spell at Milan, scoring 34 goals and winning two trophies, including the 2021-22 Serie A title. Grazie, @acmilan ! ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/rJT3PeUcsp — Theo Hernandez (@TheoHernandez) July 10, 2025 8. Malick Thiaw - €35m (to Newcastle, 2025) Malick Thiaw spent three years at Milan following his arrival from Schalke and the Italian giants turned a €23m profit on the defender via his subsequent sale to Newcastle. Thiaw joined Milan after two impressive seasons with Schalke and despite never playing more than 2,000 Serie A minutes in a single campaign at Milan, Newcastle were convinced enough by his talent to pay €35m for his signature in 2025. The Germany defender subsequently regained his place in the national team set-up following an excellent start to his career at St. James' Park. 7. Leonardo Bonucci - €35m (to Juventus, 2018) In one of the most bizarre transfer ordeals in recent memory, Leonardo Bonucci left Juventus for Milan in 2017 in a shock €42m move. Having formed an incredible defensive partnership with Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, Bonucci turned his back on the Old Lady and was immediately made Milan captain. Bonucci played 35 Serie A games and scored against Juve, but his stint at Milan was brief and ill-fated. The centre-half handed in a transfer request the following summer and he returned to Juventus for €35m, leaving Milan red-faced and €7m worse off. 6. Rafael Leao - €38m (to Galatasaray, 2026) After years of (loose) speculation linking him with the Premier League, Rafael Leao ended up joining Turkish giants Galatasaray after expressing his desire to leave Milan. The Portugal international was regarded as one of the best wingers in Europe when firing Milan to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2022-23. However, Leao suffered a gradual decline in form over the next three seasons, leading him to seek a move away from Milan in order to reboot his stalling career. 5. Thiago Silva - €42m (to PSG, 2012) In the same window that Milan lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Paris Saint-Germain, Thiago Silva made the same move for twice the price, arriving at Parc des Princes for €42m. The Brazilian wore the captain’s armband for the Rossoneri but left the club as he reached his prime, continuing his development to become one of the world’s best centre-backs at PSG. Silva had signed a five-year contract extension at Milan just two weeks prior to the transfer being completed and had affirmed his desire to remain at the club. However, Silva performed a u-turn after speaking with former Milan boss and then PSG manager Carlos Ancelotti, and he ended up spending eight years in Paris. Built to defe