Transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio provided the latest updates on AC Milan’s January strategy during Sky Sport’s ‘Calciomercato
“Milan are looking for a centre-back, ideally on loan, but there’s no real sense of urgency around the deal at the moment. Some situations need to be clarified first, such as the one involving Nkunku.”
This was the assessment from well-known journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, who analysed Milan’s current pursuit of a defensive profile during Sky Sport’s flagship transfer show, addressing the much-discussed need highlighted by both fans and the coaching staff (despite the usual post-Cagliari diplomatic statements).
The Via Aldo Rossi hierarchy are targeting a defender with solid knowledge of Serie A and strong leadership qualities: someone capable of organising the back line and adapting across different roles in defence. Age is not a decisive factor, although the club and technical staff would preferably avoid players too far along in their careers (as seen in the cases of Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos).
Names such as Chelsea’s Disasi -already dismissed as an option last summer- and Luiz Felipe do not overly excite the Rossoneri. In Luiz Felipe’s case, his tendency to operate mainly on the right-centre side of defence and his overall skill set do not currently fit Milan’s priorities.
Meanwhile, several tracks continue to be monitored: Gatti (well known to Max Allegri, though it’s hard to imagine Juventus letting him go, especially to a direct rival), Mario Gila (a highly appreciated profile, but more one for next season’s market), and any potential exits from Italian clubs later in the window. In short, the much-repeated concept of “market opportunities” stressed by Tare in recent months.
Nkunku situation: once again, the Frenchman has no intention of leaving Milanello at present, and Milan have neither the need nor the urgency to sell him. Tare is well aware of how delicate the January window can be: deals that seem impossible at the start of the month can suddenly materialise towards the end. Just look at what happened with Rabiot -deemed untouchable by Marseille throughout the window, then, after the fallout with Rowe, suddenly available at cut-price terms.
In the transfer market, everything can change in an instant. Milan know this well.
