Markus Krosche and Timmo Hardung remain AC Milan's primary targets to lead the football operation, the two executives identified by owner Gerry Cardinale as central to reshaping the club's sporting structure following the boardroom overhaul launched at the end of May.
Despite a clear rejection from Eintracht Frankfurt in recent hours, contacts between the parties have continued. Sources at Casa Milan remain hopeful that the German club could soften its position in exchange for financial compensation, though there is currently no sign of movement from Frankfurt.
Krosche and Hardung are understood to have already expressed their enthusiasm for the Milan project, and reports suggest it was the pair who recommended Ruben Amorim as the ideal candidate to lead the team next season.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are also exploring alternative candidates. One name that has resurfaced is Devin Ozek, 31, who has recently worked at Fenerbahce and previously served as a close collaborator of Simon Rolfes at Bayer Leverkusen, where he contributed to building the squad that won the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso. Cardinale continues to assess every option, though Krosche remains believed to be ownership's first choice.
Separately, Milan have confirmed the return of Camarda after exercising their buy-back option on the 2008-born striker, following Lecce's decision to first activate their own option to sign him outright for around €3m.
Lecce announced the move in a statement: "U.S. Lecce announces that, after exercising the option right for the definitive acquisition of player Francesco Camarda, A.C. Milan have exercised their counter-option right on the player."
The transaction nets Lecce around €4m once the buy-back fee is paid, against the roughly €3m they had invested to sign him outright in the first place.
Camarda remains under contract with Milan until 30 June 2028. In his season at Lecce — his first sustained run of senior Serie A football — he made 23 appearances and scored once across Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
Reports suggest the teenager will be assessed by incoming head coach Ruben Amorim during pre-season, though another loan move within Serie A appears a realistic possibility for his development to continue.
The two situations form part of the same broader rebuild at Milan, with the club working simultaneously to settle questions over its sporting leadership and its long-term forward pipeline ahead of a season that will require clarity in both areas.