AC Milan’s January transfer window has been a whirlwind of activity both on and off the pitch. With the arrival of Kyle Walker and the pursuit of Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord, the Rossoneri are making bold moves to strengthen their squad. However, another area of concern has emerged: the midfield.
Calciomercato report how the club recognizes the need for reinforcement in the center of the park, particularly to provide some relief for the overworked Youssouf Fofana. While Fofana has been indispensable for both Fonseca and Conceicao, signs of fatigue have begun to show midway through the season. The return of Bennacer and the versatility of Musah and Reijnders offer some temporary solutions, but Milan is eyeing a more permanent fix.
The ideal candidate for Milan’s midfield would need to meet several criteria. First and foremost, they must be ready to contribute immediately. Additionally, the player should come at a reasonable price and be capable of playing either as a defensive midfielder or in a box-to-box role. However, the most crucial requirement is that the player must have spent at least 36 months in an Italian youth academy between the ages of 15 and 21.
This last criterion is particularly important for UEFA list considerations. Milan needs a player who can be included in their Champions League squad without necessitating the exclusion of another player. This narrows the field considerably and points towards homegrown Italian talents.
One name that stands out as the primary target is Samuele Ricci of Torino. The 24-year-old has impressed with over 100 appearances for the Granata and has caught the eye of several top clubs, including Inter and Premier League sides. Milan has been monitoring Ricci for some time and has already made preliminary contact with his representatives.
Despite recently extending his contract with Torino until 2028, there’s an understanding between Ricci and club president Cairo that offers around €20-25 million could trigger a move. While Milan currently has other priorities and is looking for more cost-effective solutions in the short term, they may revisit the possibility of signing Ricci in the summer.
The importance of managing the UEFA squad list cannot be overstated. With the potential additions of Walker and Gimenez, and the likely departures of Emerson and Jovic, Milan must carefully consider how any new signings will affect their European squad composition. Looking ahead to the summer, the situation becomes even more complex, with only Sportiello remaining as a club-trained player and Gabbia as the sole Italian-trained player in the squad.
