With Calabria in decline and Andrea Conti likely to leave on loan, AC Milan are looking for a new right-back with Zeki Celik the top choice.
The January transfer window is still far away but the club is on the move. The arrival of new coach Stefano Pioli, and his needs, will have an impact on AC Milan’s transfer decisions in winter.
The management and the new coach agree that new signings are required to reinforce the squad in order to fight for a place in Champions League. According to Tuttosport, the Rossoneri’s first move on the mercato will be the purchase of a new full-back. The team is completed on the left with Theo Hernandez and Ricardo Rodriguez but on the right things must improve.
Calabria is in decline while Andrea Conti never fully recovered after a year and a half off the pitch. The Italian newspaper reports that AC Milan’s first choice is Zeki Celik. Since 2018, the Turkish right-back plays in France with Lille. A club with whom AC Milan have done business in the past. The Rossoneri signed Rafael Leao from Lille while Tiago Djalo joined the French club.
The 22-year-old defender made 34 appearances in Ligue 1 last season. Celik has established himself as one of the best full-backs in France and is already a Turkey international with 12 caps to his name. Lille value Zeki Celik at €20 million but good relations between the two clubs and Elliot’s intervention (the AC Milan owners save Lille from bankruptcy) could facilitate a transfer.
The alternative to Zeki Celik is Serge Aurier of Tottenham. The 26-year-old defender has been linked with AC Milan in the past but a move never materialized. Despite Tottenham paying €25 million to buy Aurier from PSG, he is now available for a fee of 10 million. With Andre Conti set to depart on loan in January, AC Milan will choose between Celik and Aurier his successor.
