MN: Three exits and a key arrival – Milan’s clear plan for the centre-back role

By Oliver Fisher -

The Milan management already have clear ideas about how they want their centre-back department to look going into next season, a report claims.

MilanNews report that in the minds of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara there will be four quality central defenders available to Stefano Pioli: Fikayo Tomori, Simon Kjaer, Pierre Kalulu and (hopefully) Sven Botman.

A fifth player could be promoted from the Primavera (like Luca Stanga), but the idea is a mix of young defenders – assisted by the experience of Kjaer – who have all the qualities that are needed to play the entire season such as speed, physical strength, positioning, power in aerial duels and being able to help build-up play.

That means there must be some exits to make room, and the report claims that Milan are ready to sell Matteo Gabbia and Mattia Caldara to raise cash and make room for Botman.

Gabbia is liked by Sampdoria, who would sign him on loan with an option (or obligation) to buy. Marco Giampaolo likes the player and he could be the right man for the Sampdoria defence even if Omar Colley does not leave.

Caldara meanwhile has attracted interest from Empoli who are keen on signing him after they secured Serie A survival while his loan club Venezia dropped back into Serie B.

Finally, Alessio Romagnoli will not renew his contract with Milan and therefore in two weeks he will leave on a free. The now former captain is wanted by Maurizio Sarri at Lazio.

Tags AC Milan Matteo Gabbia Mattia Caldara Sven Botman
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