Hungary’s Van Dijk is AC Milan’s plan B for the defence

Hungary’s Virgil Van Dijk, Attila Szalai is AC Milan’s plan B for the defence. The centre back is available for 11 million euros.

The injury of Simon Kjaer has opened up an unexpected problem for the AC Milan management. The Rossoneri had initially planned for investments in other areas but purchasing a new centre back has become the new priority for the January transfer window.

Sven Botman is Paolo Maldini’s top pick. The Netherlands defender is a Ligue 1 champion but Lille’s asking price of 30 million euros is prohibitive. Same situation for Abdou Diallo. The Rossoneri have no intention to pay €25 million for a player that is not a regular starter at PSG and will play in Africa’s Cup of nations.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that AC Milan have a plan B. The Rossoneri have identified Attila Szalai as a very good low-cost opportunity. The 23-year-old Hungary international is available for a transfer fee of 11 million euros according to Gazzetta. A reasonable sum for a player that was very close o joining Chelsea.

Szalai joined Fenerbahce exactly one year ago for a figure of €2 million. The talented centre back immediately became a key player for the Turkish giants. Szalai was also a regular starter of the Hungarian national team that did very well at EURO 2020 this summer.

Nicknamed “Hungary’s Virgil Van Dijk”, Szalai has caught the eye of AC Milan scouts with his great performances. The 23-year-old is a left-footed, fast and strong player. One of Attila’s best traits, unique for a centre-back, is that he plays with his head up. When he is in possession of the ball he rarely makes a side-pass, he instead looks to instigate attacks through precise progressive and long balls.

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