What signings to Milan need to make in the January transfer window?

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 3 min read

Milan are flying high in the league, sitting atop the Serie A table for the first time in eight years. Stefano Pioli is in charge of a squad blended between youthful vigour and chiselled experience, so what do they need to do in the January transfer window to cement their place within the top four?

Defence:

This area of the pitch is a worry for the Rossoneri. Simon Kjaer has been stellar since arriving last January, as has Alessio Romangnoli. However should either one of the pair get injured, Milan’s replacement centre-backs aren’t nearly as convincing.

Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic has been touted for a move to Milan, however this would be a deal that would happen next summer, as opposed to in January. According to a recent report by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club are prioritising a new central defender above all else. However as of now it’s unknown who the club have in mind for the position.

Schalke defender Ozan Kabak was linked with a move to Milan in the dying days of the transfer window in September, so perhaps the club would return for him with a January bid.

Midfield:

Milan signed Sandro Tonali from Brescia before the end of the last transfer window, and that set their midfield up for the season. Tonali is currently alternating with Ismael Bennacer, and with Pioli implementing a 4-2-3-1 system, the Rossoneri don’t have any further need for extra central midfielders.

However, that isn’t to say that they wouldn’t seize upon an opportunity to sign an extra midfielder, especially if they forge a deep run in the Europa League.

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Forward:

Milan are well-stacked in the forward department. However, the club have been linked with Hungarian attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who’s currently playing at RB Salzburg. The 20-year-old is believed to cost in the region of €25m, but has a list of suitors across Europe.

Samu Castillejo could leave the club in January in order to secure more playing time. Furthermore, Milan have also been linked with Florient Thauvin, but it’s thought the Frenchman’s wage demands might scare Milan off.

Marcus Thuram, son of legendary defender Lillian, is also thought to be on Milan’s list. However, Thuram could be a summer move, and not a winter purchase.

Milan may opt to sign a low-cost Zlatan Ibrahimovic replacement, but as of yet no names are mentioned.

Conclusion:

The Rossoneri have one of the better-balanced squads in Serie A at present, and it’s difficult to see where the team could improve on the starting XI in the January window. Perhaps several low-cost loans could beef the squad out.

But, expect Milan to be prudent in this transfer window, signing players only if absolutely necessary.