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Rodriguez is Milan's latest signing in a busy summer that's only just begun

It's not even mid-June yet and AC Milan welcomed their third summer signing to the club on Thursday, with defender Ricardo Rodriguez arriving from Wolfsburg. The Swiss international follows Mateo Musacchio and Franck Kessie in joining the Rossoneri, as supporters revel in what could be a defining summer for the Italian giants.

While it's one thing aimlessly splashing out money on new signings, it's a completely different story when you're addressing key weaknesses and bringing quality players through the door. Milan are undoubtedly going with the latter, as they have now hopefully solved three problem spots in the starting lineup and it's not even a month since last season ended.

Musacchio will look to form a formidable partnership with Alessio Romagnoli in the heart of the Milan defence, depending on what system Vincenzo Montella goes with, while Kessie's presence and tenacity will be most welcome in the middle of the pitch.

As for Rodriguez, his versatility will make him a dream for Montella. Whether it be on the left of a back three, at left-back in a back four or even as a wing-back in a midfield five, the choices are endless when it comes to the 24-year-old.

Defensively solid and technically sound, he'll add to the solidity of the backline while also offering something going forward with his delivery and energy on the left flank. At 24, much like Musacchio and Kessie, his prime years are still ahead of him and coupled with his €17 million transfer fee, it's another great bit of business from the Milan hierarchy.

That's now three positions in the starting lineup addressed in a matter of weeks, and while Milan supporters can all enjoy the positive start to the transfer window, the beauty of it is that there is likely still much more to come.

Speculation is linking the Rossoneri with a different name every hour it seems, with agents arriving at Casa Milan while the club are still unveiling the latest new signings. All in all, it's a summer to embrace and enjoy, and it's a huge change compared to the doldrums in which fans have had to reside in around this time for the past few years.

With the Europa League qualifiers to consider at the end of July, the strategy seems to be pretty simple: Milan want to assemble this new-look squad in time for the start of the preseason schedule, giving Montella ample time to settle, prepare and get this team ready. That alone should be applauded as brilliant management.

Gianluigi Donnarumma's contract situation remains a headache for now, but if that is sorted out next week as planned then the entire backline seems to be in a decent place. However, there is still more needed if Milan are serious about challenging for a top-three spot in Serie A and if they harbour ambitions of winning the Europa League next season.

A right-back, additional midfield reinforcements, a replacement for Gerard Deulofeu on the left wing and a striker all remain on the shopping list. If rumours are to be believed, then specific targets are already coming to the fore.

The individuals in question will naturally split opinion, and preferences will be clear. One example is that of Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who has been linked with a move to Milan, one that doesn't have my backing. There is no denying that the Spain international is a top-class player and will bring a ruthlessness and winning mentality to Milan, but being such an unlikeable figure for most non-Chelsea fans, image also comes into the equation and it would be preferable to see someone else arrive.

That's just another enjoyable part of what is turning out to be a thrilling summer, though. Merely being linked to these type of players is fun itself, and it's certainly a more enjoyable experience to sift through names wondering who will arrive rather than if anyone will at all.

This has been a superb start to the summer for Milan. However, the work can't stop now as if the club is serious about putting together a formidable squad capable of challenging for major honours next season onwards, which they certainly seem to be on the evidence of what they've done so far, then this is surely just the peripheral pieces to the puzzle being added before all is revealed with the major pieces completing the picture in the coming weeks.