AC Milan have made their identikit clear as they once again go in search of a new defender ahead of the January window, a report claims.
According to MilanNews, the Rossoneri management chose to concentrate on very young players during the summer window, continuing with the vision that Elliott Management have instilled into the club of a youth-led approach.
However, pursuits of Mohamed Simakan (of Strasbourg) and Ozan Kabak (of Schalke) did not bear fruit, but this does not mean that Paolo Maldini and co. have changed their approach.
Head coach Stefano Pioli would certainly have benefited from an experienced defender to remedy the depth problem in the summer, but when considering the transfer fee and/or loan fee plus the gross salary it would have been melting money to fill a hole for the short term and create a bigger one on the balance sheet.
In the interview with DAZN, Maldini outlined the characteristics he wants in a defender – namely their ability to defend in one-on-one situations – and the report adds that Kabak and Simakan are still targets heading into the winter mercato.
Mateo Musacchio could say goodbye to Milan as early as January and Leo Duarte could follow the same path, which means a gap would open up that needs filling.
That slot that will be taken by a young player who is ready to succeed from a physical and athletic point of view. He may not be a starter immediately but the message is loud and clear: the club are not thinking short-term.
