MN: From Kelly to Kehrer – the latest on Milan’s five centre-back leads

AC Milan will soon welcome Matteo Gabbia back from Villarreal but they will also aim to sign another new centre-back during the January transfer window, a report claims.

According to what is being reported by MilanNews, Gabbia’s return to Milan can virtually be considered done. There are the final details to be sorted out with Villarreal before terminating the loan a few months early.

Tomorrow the player will return to Spain (having spent the Christmas holidays in Milan) but he is awaiting the final green light to return to Italy. The aim is to have him back at Milanello at the beginning of January.

Beyond Gabbia, the intention is to bring another central defender to Milanello. Openings seem to be arriving regarding the Clement Lenglet front, the centre-back is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona.

However, in the event that he were to also end his loan spell early, Milan will still ask Barcelona to cover a large part of the Frenchman’s salary, which is quite high.

Another valid profile is that of Thilo Kehrer, a German centre-back at West Ham United. In recent days he has been offered to the management and can be considered as a possible name. Meanwhile, the chances of Nordi Mukiele (PSG) arriving are declining.

Finally, Milan are not giving up on Lloyd Kelly. In this case the path that the Rossoneri intend to follow is not for January but for June, when the Englishman will be available on a free transfer.