There is now a genuine risk that AC Milan will end the January transfer window without any additional reinforcements for head coach Stefano Pioli, according to a report.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) writes that the centre of Milan’s defence should be Simon Kjaer, Matteo Gabbia, Jan-Carlo Simic and Theo Hernandez for the next three weeks.
Kjaer and Gabbia are doing well together – against Bologna, less so – but in the summer they were the fourth and fifth options as far as centre-backs were concerned This is why a new defender was Milan’s big target in January.
Stefano Pioli also said it twice in the press conference: “We are missing a central defender.” Yet, Geoffrey Moncada and his team have been unable to find the right opportunitiy.
The first big target was Jakub Kiwior, who Arsenal didn’t let go of. Then Clément Lenglet took the lead, but the difficult agreement with Aston Villa and Barcelona complicated everything.
Lilian Brassier of Brest was followed and evaluated, while the player waited a long time for Milan, hoping for a call. Nothing came, because Brest’s demands (€12-15m) were considered too high.
In the last few days, an attempt was made for Merih Demiral who would have been a great fit. The problem is that Al-Ahli, his club, have not opened up to the idea of a loan, the formula requested by Milan.
Milan did not plan to spend the €20m the Saudi club paid for him last summer, so while Furlani, Moncada and D’Ottavio will make one more attempt for the Turkey international, it seems more likely no defenders will arrive.
In the last 72 hours of the window they will remain in contact with agents and clubs, looking for a last minute opportunity. Otherwise Milan will remain with the central defenders in the squad.
However, Pioli knows that Malick Thiaw will return in the second part of February, Fikayo Tomori a little later and then Pierre Kalulu after them. It is not the ideal solution, but perhaps removes some of the urgency.
We need a CDM more than a CB
I think Pioli made it loud n clear thru the last pre-match interview vs. Bologna regarding this;
“At the moment we don’t have a breakwater because we don’t we want it.”
Save the money until summer. No panic-buys please. When was the last time a January purchase was useful? All I can think of is Mandzukic, Paqueta etc. And how did those go?
I am sick and disgusted by moncada, furlani and d’ottavio – a trio of shame and a bunch of incompetent idiots. Other teams target a player and in a couple of days manage to get him.
BUT THESE 3 CRETINS WANT EVERY PLAYER BUT DO NOT EVEN MANAGE TO GET ONE SINGLE PLAYER.
Clearly their only aim is to take part in next year’s champions league …. they would be happy with this …. OMG … and then they dream of winning the europa league …. what a sick and sad joke!!!!
You give too much credence to media rumours and reports. There has likely been a fraction of the serious interest in players that has been reported and likely more serious interest in players that have not been reported. Every team goes through this as part of their due diligence. No need to work yourself up over the rumours.