Roles, requirements, renewals: Five questions about Milan’s January plans answered

Heading into the January transfer window, there are still a few unknowns when it comes to the business that AC Milan will do, and what the coach wants.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, if it were up to the fans then the winter mercato would be a shopping spree. The Scudetto is within reach so a striker, a defender, a wing-back and maybe other roles should be strengthened to eliminate the team’s flaws and have a perfect second half of the season.

In reality, not everything is that simple and you have to deal with financial constraints, the need for outgoing players and the fact that a mid-season window isn’t when most want to do business.

What does Allegri want?

Allegri is asking for a striker in the January transfer window. The rest is just a bonus. A striker, a starting No.9 with some experience who can provide a different solution than those currently in the squad.

Allegri is a determined man and has made his intentions clear since the summer: Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao have always been his starting players. The problem is that Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez have provided very little and are stuck on zero league goals.

Between injuries and poor form, they haven’t helped the cause. January will need to bring in a striker capable of turning games around – perhaps a target man, to combat deep blocks – and starting when the others cannot.

The other needs are secondary: above all, a central defender to extend the current group of four players – Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic and De Winter – for three positions, every single Sunday. Allegri is down to the bare minimum available, given Gabbia’s injury.

Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images

What striker?

In mid-December, the landscape is being assessed and it’s not the time for handshakes. Joshua Zirkzee is an interesting player and has been linked in the past. Niclas Fullkrug, who rarely plays at West Ham, is another name that’s been floated recently.

It’s too early to give definitive answers on who will (presumably) occupy the No.9 shirt. Especially since, while until a few days ago, it seemed certain that Milan could only sign a striker (strictly on loan) if one of their strikers left.

Now that Gimenez’s fate has become uncertain (will he undergo surgery or not?) it also supports the possibility of a move regardless. This is a fluid situation, and Nkunku’s fate could also be a factor. Then, in June, everyone would be back at the table.

Other tasks?

Milan will also be working on the medium-term in January, and the central focus is on Mike Maignan. The Frenchman is in excellent form and his renewal for Milan is a priority. Last summer’s discussions failed to reach an agreement, and negotiations have been put on hold.

Milan are trying to unfreeze the situation and reach an agreement because, otherwise, Maignan will be free to sign for another team at the end of the season without a transfer fee. Are the conditions for a €5m per season deal in place? Not at the moment. In a few months, who knows. Milan are hoping.

Of course, they’ll also be keeping an eye on Pulisic, Tomori and Loftus-Cheek, whose contracts expire in 2027, as well as on unpredictable offers from abroad. In recent weeks, for example, there has been talk of potential interest from foreign clubs in Davide Bartesaghi.

Nothing concrete has been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, white smoke has arrived for Alexis Saelemaekers: his contract has been extended until 2031, with his salary more than doubled. He is in example of work during the season that can be done.

What about a centre-back?

Milan’s plan, in mid-December, is to sign a central defender. The main characteristic must be experience. The second requirement: on loan. The impression is that a solution will only be found in late January, when clubs – small and especially large – will make their decisions.

David Odogu, at the same time, is expected to go out on loan. The German defender arrived at AC Milan at the end of the summer and has played only a few minutes in the Coppa Italia.

Allegri is currently managing a four-for-three rotation as mentioned above. So there is little rest for everyone, especially since the starting three are very well established. A fifth name, due to injuries and suspensions, would be useful.

Any more positions?

A striker, a central defender, anything else? Milan have these two major technical needs, the rest is debatable. Could a winger be needed to prevent a physical problem that would sideline Saelemaekers for several weeks?

In that case, Allegri could give Athekame a chance or use Loftus-Cheek on the flank, as he’s begun to do in recent weeks. Could a midfield reinforcement be useful? No, Milan have two guaranteed starters in the middle: Modric, Rabiot, and Fofana. Behind them, Ricci, Jashari, and Loftus-Cheek.

So, it’s likely that the midfield will remain as it is, and yes, it’s more than possible that we’ll see a January without major spending, with two loan arrivals and perhaps a couple of young signings. Arizala is not a random coup.