1 week ago
34
We are almost at the end of the winter transfer window already, and things have gone quiet on the incoming front for AC Milan.
Milan began their mercato before anyone else, with the arrival of Niclas Füllkrug in Italy even before Christmas, before it was made official on the first day of the window and he then made his debut later that day in Cagliari.
Igli Tare and co. have let the time since pass without making any other signings. The transfer window closes on Monday 2 February at 20:00 CET, but what chances are there of business being done?
Two positions
As MilanNews recall, in the pre-match press conference for Roma vs. Milan, Massimiliano Allegri responded to yet another question about the mercato as follows: “Either we improve the squad or we stay the same.”
Reading between the lines, it feels like he is saying that players will only arrive that are useful to the cause firstly, and available on the right terms secondly. In this sense, the central defensive department is the one to watch.
Without taking anything away from the performances of Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, Fikayo Tomori and Koni De Winter, Milan could also use a fifth central defender who has a bit more experience and is immediately ready to contribute.
Then, there is the wing-back role. At the moment, Alexis Saelemaekers’ back-up is Zachary Athekame, who most recently struggled vs Roma. when he played the entire second half. On the left, Davide Bartesaghi has overtaken Pervis Estupinan in the pecking order, the disappointing summer signing.
The quality of the reserves needs to be improved, especially on the right, where Saelemaekers is used so much and is exposed to more exhausted and lacklustre games, as was the case on Sunday evening against the Giallorossi.
Constraints
It is fine to have a shopping list, but when you get to the till you have to have the means to pay. Based on the reports from reliable sources, the Milan ownership and management do not intend to invest any money up front in the winter.
What does that mean? Well, while they might be willing to add a bit onto the wage bill, any expense for a transfer fee will have to be deferred to the summer. So, a very low-cost deal (a few million) or a loan with option/obligation to buy will be needed.
While this is obviously quite a strict condition to try and do business under, the end of the window can provide opportunities as clubs look to offload players in order to bring in who they want. Fikayo Tomori and Kyle Walker are examples of this in recent years, in terms of big-club cast-offs.
It works both ways, too. If Milan were able to get a late deal done for Radu Dragusin (as an example plucked from recent speculation), then they might be willing to approve a beneficial loan experience for David Odogu. So, watch that revolving door closely.
English (US) ·