Directors Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara tried but in the end they were not able to sign a central defender before the window closed.
According to Tuttosport (via MilanNews), the budget to invest in a new centre-back was not the most substantial and the time available was very little, but Milan failed to give Pioli a player in a position that he requested. Now, he will now have to make a virtue of necessity, drawing on what is already present in the squad.
There were many different targets linked in the weeks leading up to the deadline, from Milenkovic to Pezzella, as well as Fofana and Ajer. Then Nastasic, Kabak, Rudiger and Simakan all seemed to be options on deadline day. Many names, different ideas, but no end solution.
Therefore, the pursuit of a centre-back has been postponed to January, which it must be remembered is not that far. Milan will take advantage of these months to evaluate the situation well, perhaps based on the team’s performance. In the meantime, as mentioned, Pioli will have to adapt and cross his fingers, in the hope that the emergency in the rearguard will be over as soon as possible.