AC Milan are already preparing for what could be a hectic January transfer window, expected to make quite a few signings. As reported by Italian media this morning, four players could arrive to strengthen Stefano Pioli’s side.
Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada are keen on ending the injury/depth focus once and for all, making very targeted signings in January. Although a lot will depend on the Champions League Round of 16, the Rossoneri appear to have a decent budget ready.
According to today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Milan are ready to reinforce four positions: centre-back, left-back, midfielder and striker. The first and last are the main priorities, but the other two will not be ignored.
Striker
Olivier Giroud has worked overtime and a No.9 reinforcement is essential. There are three key targets as things stand today: Jonathan David (Lille), Serhou Guirassy (Stuttgart) and Akor Adams (Montpellier). The question, however, is who could arrive in January.
Out of the three, the easiest to sign would paradoxically be David as he has struggled at the start of this season. The Canadian international has a price tag of €40m but with a good offer, Lille could decide to sell him in January.
Guirassy has a release clause of €17m but he plans to leave in the summer, while Adams appears to have the same mindset. Having said all of this, last-minute opportunities could emerge in January and other targets thus cannot be excluded.
Centre-back
In defence, Milan have set their sights on Jakub Kiwior. He was linked with the Rossoneri prior to his move to Arsenal, and now he’s back on their radar. The idea is to secure him a loan but it remains to be seen if the Gunners will open to this. Chelsea’s Benoit Badiashile is another option on loan.
Moncada is also keeping an eye on the youngsters Konstantinos Koulierakis (Paok) and Alessandro Marcandalli (Reggiana, owned by Genoa). However, the road to Milanello is very long for both of them, especially since Milan need immediate reinforcement.
Midfielder
Milan have moved early in their pursuit of Assan Ouédraogo, which started already two years ago, but the competition has increased and is incredibly fierce now. Inter, Leipzig, Bayern Munich and Arsenal have all been mentioned.
The Schalke midfielder has a release clause of €12m and at the age of 17, several clubs are tempted. The big surprise for Milan, however, could arrive on the outgoing front. Fenerbahce are still interested in Rade Krunic and the Rossoneri are willing to accept a decent offer for the Bosnian.
Left-back
This position is the least prioritised but there is a good opportunity for Milan: Juan Miranda. His contract with Real Betis will expire in the summer and he could arrive for a nominal fee. Indeed, we are talking about €5m, give or take.
However, Miranda has asked for a salary of €2m per season, which must be taken into consideration. Milan have trusted Davide Baretisaghi so far, as well as Alessandro Florenzxi, and there’s also the fact that Theo Hernandez always plays when he’s fit.
I really don’t understand. How is signing a striker in January a priority? Giroud, with very little service, is second in the goalscoring charts. Okafor, despite his struggles, has two goals and Jovic haven’t been given a good run of games yet. As for the defense, Kiwior would be a great reinforcement but not a priority. Our only long-term absentee is Kalulu, Kjaer and Pellegrino will be back soon and we have Bartesaghi and Simic.
Surely a midfield that has no structure, can’t create much offensively, and can’t protect the defense, needs reinforcement the most. Bennacer might leave for AFCON, Reijnders and Musah are still finding their feet but they haven’t exactly set the world alight, RLC has injury issues, and I assume everyone agrees that Krunic and Adli shouldn’t be starters. Am I the only one seeing this?
@S Milan
Because Pioli is Pioli and will play Giroud into the ground. If something happens to him, we don’t have another natural 9. Taremi fell through and Jovic is a Joke. So yea, a younger reliable striker would be a blessing.
its factual that Jovic is trash at this point. Honestly I’d be just as happy dropping him and recalling Colombo as anything else. I don’t know if Johnathan David is the answer and there aren’t very many practical targets that seem worth it atm
You are on point ! We need a defensive midfielder. We can’t maintain a lead. Look at our last few games.
If u all like singn 10 players there won’t be difference sack pioli u will see d difference immediately.
Tomori and thiaw must go Stefano Pioli should sell tomori,thiaw, and krunic to get money and sign another attacking midfield like Romain Favre
Wow haha who will play CB?
Exactly That’s what an insane person should say😂
And sell all the goalkeepers too. Who needs them! (This sounds like something a bot would say right?)
What are you saying. Sell two of the best CB’s the club has. And who would play their positions.
You can keep all your cheap imports, we need Italians, we lack identity and character, we need balance, a core of Italians is essential for the identity of the team, u can have all your shiny imports but we need a core….which we a sorely lacking
Apparently its the Italian character to struggle to qualify for tournaments against teams like N Macedonia and Ukraine. Name an Italian who could start over Leao or Theo. Give me an Italian #9 that is actually worth 40M? Italians players are trash and even us Italians know it…
Well there’s a positive reaction, nice to see, all italian players are trash….OK, if u say so
You need to read all the articles about the economics of football and the growth decree to understand why we don’t sign Italians.
So still no defensive midfielder ? interesting
Italian players are not doing well at the moment and I just can’t see a prospective top 9 that could fit in the shoes of giroud.
Yeah, but no. 9 is only one of four positions we’re talking about here. There are plenty if Italians who could be useful in midfield, leftback and centerback. For example at CB, there are two young Italians by the names of Scalvini and Buongiorno, who are also left footed, and are pushing for time with the national team.