Italian giants AC Milan are looking to sign a new central defender this month to bolster their Serie A title challenge. Milan recently lost defender Simon Kjaer to a season-ending injury and now looking to add a replacement with a six-month loan offer for multiple players this month. Stefano Pioli has taken a charge to guide Milan back to glory days after they finished six seasons without a Champions League football at San Siro. But last season they returned to the continental tournament after finishing 2nd in the Serie A.
Rossoneri are now targeting a league title this season as they are just a point behind leaders Inter Milan and ten points ahead of 5th placed Juventus. Both Milan clubs are sure to go toe-to-toe for the title and looking to bolster their chances with reinforcements in the January transfer window. According to a report from Sky Italia, AC Milan are looking to sign a new centre-back this month and have shortlisted four Premier League defenders, all on loan for six months spell.
? #SkySport: #ACMilan is targeting Nathan Aké (#ManchesterCity), Sarr (#Chelsea), Bailly (#ManchesterUnited), and Pablo Mari (#Arsenal). But they are only at an evaluation level here. pic.twitter.com/TVlONb9yvR
— Milan Posts ??? (@MilanPosts) January 8, 2022
AC Milan Target Four Premier League Defenders On Loan:
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has emerged as the latest defensive target for the Italian giants. The 27-year-old Ivorian is struggling to get minutes at Old Trafford since last season. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof formed centre-back pairing for the Red Devils last season and now new signing Raphael Varane has replaced Lindelof to partner Maguire in defence. Phil Jones is also ahead of Bailly in the pecking order since the arrival of Ralf Rangnick at United. Bailly still has two and half years left on his contract but he is likely to push for exit this month and Milan can offer him a way out.
Rossoneri are eyeing up another loan deal and have identified Manchester City’s Nathan Ake as a perfect choice to replace injured Kjaer. Ake has struggled to break into Guardiola’s star-studded defence this season despite his versatility to play on any defensive position. Aymeric Laport and Ruben Dias is a preferred centre-back pairing at Etihad with John Stone being the first rotational option.
Ake can provide a perfect option for Pioli who are also looking for a backup option to Theo Hernandez on left-back position. Manchester City are looking to hold on to Ake and are in no hurry to offload him this month. West Ham United are also strongly linked with former Chelsea and Bournemouth defender and looking to make their first loan offer bid this month.
AC Milan are also looking to make a loan offer to Arsenal’s Pablo Mari and Chelsea’s Malang Sarr. Both Mari and Sarr are struggling to get regular football with their respective clubs and are likely to depart on loan this month.