While all eyes are firmly on the upcoming World Cup, transfer fanatics around the world will be focused on the winter transfer window that takes place just weeks after the final in Qatar. It could be a busy January for the Rossoneri, who may look to the Premier League to fill their roster. Here is a look at three stars who could make the switch to Milan.
Jorginho
A European champion with Italy, Jorginho could return to the country where his career began. The 30-year-old is out of contract with Chelsea in June 2023, meaning he would be available either at a cut-market price in the winter window or as a free agent by the summer. Either option is an alluring one, although Milan fans would have to forgive his previous allegiances to Hellas Verona and Napoli.
Given Italy’s absence from Qatar 2022, Jorginho will have a few weeks of rest before Chelsea’s hectic schedule resumes on December 26th. A stuttering start under Graham Potter has seen the Blues’ odds of securing the top four rise to +230 for those who bet on football online with Paddy Power. The website also offers football tips on anything from the current form to potential transfers – one of whom could be Jorginho, should Chelsea’s form continue on its downward trajectory. If this is the case, the Rossoneri will be one of many potential suitors waiting in the wings.
Jorginho is demanding that Chelsea double his salary to €13.6m to renew his deal!
Jorginho’s current future looks to be “far away from Stamford Bridge”.
[@sport] pic.twitter.com/lxMo1uBDCV
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) November 7, 2022
Naby Keita
Another midfielder rumored to be on Stefano Piolo’s ‘wanted’ list is Liverpool’s Naby Keita. The Guinea international finds himself in a similar position to Jorginho, with his contract with the Reds expiring in the summer. Considering the €65 million price tag with which he arrived on Merseyside, signing Keita could prove to be shrewd business, even if the wait is until the summer.
So far in 2022-23, however, the midfielder is yet to make a real impact. Like his disrupted 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns, Keita’s 2022-23 has so far been marred by injury. His current hamstring problems do increase the risk element of securing his signature, although at just 27 years old Keita will likely have plenty of seasons left in him, and so could prove worth the gamble.
Naby Keita: keep or sell? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qJMSoJ0zFR
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) November 4, 2022
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
An even more youthful option sees a return to Chelsea, as Ruben Loftus Cheek has been touted to play his football at San Siro ever since the summer. These feelings were further amplified when the Englishman did step foot on Milan’s pitch, albeit in a Chelsea shirt back in October. Loftus-Cheek impressed so much that Milan chiefs Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massa openly expressed their admiration for the player, something which could materialize into a January transfer.
However, signing a young, English midfielder won’t come easy, and even less so now Potter is in charge of the Blues. The new Chelsea boss is also a fan of Loftus-Cheek, and many feel the player could feature prominently in the side’s new system, especially if Jorginho moves on. Thus, while the 26-year-old is arguably the most exciting entry on this list, he is certain to be the most expensive.
Incredible feeling yesterday! ⚽️
Wembley awaits once again! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/6rfEph8Ai2— Ruben Loftus-Cheek (@RLC) April 18, 2022
With recent signings such as Divock Origi and Oliver Giroud as proof, Milan’s link to the Premier League is both well-engrained and successful. For that reason, it is likely the Rossoneri could repeat the same feat in January, and could even return to the same two clubs as before.
