One of the missions that Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara have this summer is to complete the centre-back department, a report claims.
With 31 goals conceded in 38 matches, Milan finished the 2021-22 Serie A campaign with the join-best defence in Serie A alongside Napoli and conceding just twice in the final 11 league games of the season (with nine clean sheets) helped earn the Scudetto.
MilanNews recalls how Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu were a big part of that record as they formed a fantastic pairing, meaning Stefano Pioli is likely to bank on them once again heading into 2022-23.
However, in a season with three competitions to face and theWorld Cup in Qatar between November and December as another variable, the team need valid alternatives. The first is certainly Simon Kjaer whose knee is responding well while on the comeback trail, but after Alessio Romagnoli’s exit another signing is needed.
Maldini wants a fourth central defender who guarantees more reliability than Matteo Gabbia and Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga is in pole position. The Rossoneri management are planning a meeting with Fabio Paratici to try and close the deal, with a €2m loan and €16m option to buy eyed, but Spurs want an obligation.
Matteo Gabbia could then be allowed to leave on loan or outright, while Mattia Caldara also left Milanello for Spezia and Leo Duarte was sold to Başakşehir permanently.
