The Rossoneri squad is too young and in January AC Milan need to sign players of experience. Maldini and Boban are considering 15 names.
AC Milan have the lowest average age of the squad in Serie A. Something that is considered to be negatively influencing the Rossoneri’s aspiration for a place in the top four. There are no elements of experience that can be leaders on the pitch or in the locker room.
During the summer transfer market very specific choices were made, focusing on young talents with potential to become important players in the future. However, it was immediately understood that it was probably a mistake not to sign any experienced players that could help a coach like Marco Giampaolo who was at his first adventure on such a prestigious bench.
Fortunately that is about to change and AC Milan will bring in at least one player in January to fill the void. Maldini, Boban and even Gazidis agree that the reinforcement are needed to improve Pioli’s side.
Asked about the transfer plans of AC Milan, Ivan Gazidis opened to the idea of purchasing an experienced player. “We are always observant on market, in January I don’t like to be very active but sometimes it is necessary. The strategy is clear: invest in young players and make them grow, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t invest in experienced players like we did with Higuain. You can’t burn money with players in decline, ours must be a responsible road”.
Sportmediaset report that AC Milan have a list of 15 names. When the winter transfer window opens, the Rossoneri will aim to sign 2-3 players from this list.
DEFENCE TARGETS
Though every department has under-performed so far the profiles AC Milan are considering start from the defence. At the center the Rossoneri need a reliable partner for Alessio Romagnoli.
Tottenham duo Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are two very tempting names. Both have huge experience in Premier League and on international level with Belgium and become free agents in six months.
Another centre back who could soon leave on a free transfer is Stefan Savic of Atletico Madrid. The 28-year-old defender has refused to renew his contract with the Spanish club and will soon become one of the most wanted players on the market
But other players who have already been approached by AC Milan in the past could also be evaluated again. Players like Dejan Lovren of Liverpool, Matija Nastasic of Schalke 04 and Nikolas Nkoulou of Turin.
MIDFIELD TARGETS
In midfield the top transfer target of AC Milan is Barcelona star Ivan Rakitic. The Croatian star has lost his spot in Ernesto Valverde’s starting eleven and wants to change club.
Barcelona are reportedly open to sell and value the 31-year-old at around €25 million. An affordable price tag but the player currently earns almost €8 million per season in Spain and it’s not yet clear if he would be willing to lower his wages.
Arsenal duo Lucas Torreira and Mohamed Elneny are probable options. The Uruguayan was Giampaolo’s dream last summer while for Elneny (currently on loan at Besiktas) AC Milan have had recent contacts with his agent but he’s not a convincing choice.
In Serie A, Lasse Schone, who joined Genoa from Ajax in the summer, is the only player on the list that plays in Italy and his cost is 3 million euros. Much more complicated to get to Leandro Paredes for whom PSG paid about 40 million last January.
The club is also keeping tabs on Luka Modric who becomes a free agent in June 2020 but he looks more like a possible hypothesis for next summer.
ATTACK TARGETS
Mesut Ozil will certainly be one of the most wanted players in January. The German attacking midfielder is set to leave Arsenal although he would like to stay in London.
AC Milan are interested in Ozil but not on a permanent transfer. If Arsenal open to a loan move on favorable terms, Ivan Gazidis would love to have his former player at San Siro for the next six months. Still, at this moment, this is an unlikely hypothesis for the Rossoneri.
Could Zlatan Ibrahimovic be set for a return at San Siro? With Piatek and Rafael Leao in attack AC Milan can afford to search for a short-team addition. Though Ibrahimovic still commands a hefty figure the Rossoneri are prepared to satisfy his demands in order for a second spell at San Siro.
Perhaps the most interested name on the list regarding the attack is PSG attacking midfielder Julian Draxler. The 26-year-old has made just 3 appearances in Ligue 1 so far and his game time has been reduced dramatically.
Draxler’s contract with PSG expires in 2021. The player is unhappy with his situation, however, dealing with PSG will not be easy. The French club values Draxler at least 30 million but a loan move could be suited for all parties. Chelsea’s striker Pedro Rodriguez closes the 15 names list of AC Milan for January.
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