Despite Koni De Winter’s positive performances recently, Massimiliano Allegri wants a bit more peace of mind in defence.
As Corriere dello Sport report, Allegri still wants to add another central defender to the squad, so as to have five players (plus David Odogu, who has only played a handful of minutes so far) available for three spots in the remaining 16 matches this season.
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The search isn’t easy because Milan’s intention remains to explore the market for a player with good experience, who is either low-cost or could arrive on loan with an option to buy. Oh, and ideally they can play all three centre-back positions.
Dragusin ticks the boxes?
One option that’s being explored is Radu Dragusin at Spurs, who has previously played for Juventus in Serie A as well as Sampdoria, Salernitana and most notably Genoa, where he earned a Premier League move.
His English adventure, however, isn’t going as well as the Romanian had expected. He played nine games and just 242 minutes in his first year in England, then 28 appearances for a total of 2,180 minutes last season, and only six appearances this season.
Bad luck has largely held him back: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee one year ago in a Europa League match against Elfsborg cost him 11 months of football. He would return on December 28th.
Giorgio Furlani and Igli Tare’s idea is to offer Spurs a loan with an option to buy, thus delaying the future permanent signing by six months. The English club, however, would like further guarantees, in essence an obligation to buy.
Beyond possibly reaching a financial agreement with Tottenham and the player’s entourage, Milan will need to carefully evaluate whether Dragusin is physically ready to return to the pitch consistently. Allegri wants a ready defender who can be called upon immediately.
Milan are also working on the acquisition of Lazio’s Mario Gila for the summer transfer window, taking advantage of his contract expiring in 2027. It would be very difficult to bring the deal forward to January. Ljubo Puljic of Bayern Munich’s second team is a name for the future too.
He’s a good player, but is he better than any of the current 4?
If Gila is happening, we don’t need 6 CBs, even in Europe. Tomori is renegotiating his deal, Allegri seems to love Pavlovic, De Winter is growing into a starter, and most people would say Gabbia has consistently outperformed them all (albeit by margins). So who leaves?
Tomori is not up to the level we need and should be dropped when we get better alternatives. He is the first name on the sheet i would improve on.
ok so it’s Tomori, Dragusin, DeWinter on the bench? a bit too optimistic view imo
Well, the ink isn’t dry on anything yet, so a lot of this could be hedging by the club. Dragusin is coming off an ACL tear, so sign Dragusin now on a loan with no obligation. Test him for six months. Meanwhile, the club continues to negotiate for Gila, but it’s Lottito and Gila seems to have other admirers. If an agreement is reached for Gila, then maybe they don’t pull the trigger on Dragusin’s permanent transfer (unless he blows everyone away). If Gila doesn’t sign, then the option on Dragusin could be exercised, assuming he knee is OK. Then if there is the possibility we don’t get Gila and Dragusin turns out to be a dud, in which case we’ll have to go a completely different route. Finally, they could both arrive and one of the ones we have now could leave in a bit of a surprise move. I can’t help but get the feeling that Allegri doesn’t actually rate Gabbia, as his preferred target (Gatti) would only fit into the center of the back three. My feeling is that if Allegri could have his way we’d sign Gatti, he’d make Gatti the starting CCB, and send Gabbia to the bench. It’s hunch of mine, but I’m going to be watching this space with interest come the summer.
Gabbia and Gatti are the most similar players in Italian NT…
Tomori is regressing from the scudetto form he showed with the Kalulu partnership. He is a shadow of himself…almost as if he is having confidence issues. He should at best be a bench player.
Gila is a lot better than The Drag. Our CB’s will suffice until the summer. Then go in for Gila.
I agree, but then why renew? Tomori will surely not like becoming a sub, and they must know this. Sell him on if they are thinking about upgrading his position. If he’s called up for the WC, his price might even go up.
Meant as a reply to @Forza AC…