Can Omari Hutchinson be the latest Premier League export to thrive in Serie A?

Scott McTominay left Manchester United and became Napoli’s title-winning force of nature. Romelu Lukaku has collected league medals with Inter and Napoli, Fikayo Tomori won the Scudetto with AC Milan and Rasmus Hojlund rediscovered his scoring touch after returning to Italy.

Omari Hutchinson will now attempt the same trick. The 22-year-old has joined Milan from Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan, reportedly costing around €4 million, with an option to buy for approximately €40 million.

It is an escape route for a winger whose rapid rise had become bogged down in increasingly expensive transfers and diminishing returns.

Hutchinson spent time with Chelsea and Charlton as a child before developing in Arsenal’s academy. Chelsea brought him back in 2022, although his first-team involvement amounted to two substitute appearances.

His breakthrough instead came on loan at Ipswich, where ten goals in 44 Championship matches helped Kieran McKenna’s side win promotion in 2023-24.

Ipswich then paid an initial club-record fee of around £20 million, potentially rising to £22 million, to sign him permanently. His first Premier League season was more difficult.

Hutchinson managed three goals in 31 appearances as Ipswich were relegated, although flashes of his talent remained, including goals against Manchester United and former club Chelsea.

Nottingham Forest still paid £37.5 million for him in August 2025. But Hutchinson scored only once in 37 appearances across all competitions last season and began the new campaign on the fringes under Oliver Glasner, who has implemented a narrow 3-4-2-1 system at the City Ground within which the new boss, apparently, saw no role for Hutchinson.

Curiously, that same basic formation could give him a fresh start under Ruben Amorim.

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Amorim also favours a back three with two attacking midfielders operating behind the striker, but his system requires those players to rotate between the half-spaces and wider positions.

Hutchinson can play on either flank or as a No.10, carries the ball aggressively and is comfortable receiving between the lines. Milan do not need him to remain attached to the touchline. They need him to beat the first defender, combine quickly and attack the gaps created around new striker Goncalo Ramos.

His willingness to press should also appeal to Amorim. Hutchinson’s defensive work has rarely been the problem. The concern has been what follows.

He can dribble past opponents and advance possession, but his final pass and finishing have not developed at the same rate. One goal last season was a meagre return for a player bought at such expense.

Serie A may give him the fraction more time he needs. Italian football is hardly slow, despite the enduring English stereotype, but it frequently offers skilful attackers clearer tactical instructions and more opportunities to receive in defined areas.

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McTominay became Serie A’s most valuable player in 2024-25 after being treated as an awkward spare part at United. Hojlund followed with 15 goals in 43 Napoli appearances last season, earning a permanent move.

Hutchinson is not guaranteed a similar revival. Tomori, Lukaku and Hojlund had already demonstrated more at senior level before moving to Italy. But Milan have limited their risk through the loan structure, while Amorim has acquired a player specifically suited to one of his narrow attacking roles.

After two difficult Premier League seasons, Hutchinson no longer needs another club to admire his potential. He needs one that knows precisely what to do with it. Milan might finally provide that.

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