AC Milan Identify Midfield Targets As Ruben Loftus-Cheek Nears January Exit
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is closing in on a move away from AC Milan and the Rossoneri have lined up two potential replacements.
Louis Fargher
Updated on 22 January 2026
Massimiliano Allegri has identified two midfielders as Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to leave AC Milan before the January deadline.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Nears January Exit
The former Premier League midfielder could be heading back to England before the January transfer window comes to a close, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks for a move away from Milan.
Allegri has only handed Loftus-Cheek eight Serie A starts this season and the 29-year-old is reportedly frustrated by his lack of playing time under the new Rossoneri manager.
Multiple sides from across Europe have approached Milan over a move for the English midfielder and Aston Villa have put Loftus-Cheek on their radar.
The Villains are currently leading the race to land Loftus-Cheek’s signature in January, but Juventus, Besiktas and Fenerbahce are also monitoring the Brit’s situation.
Any move will come on a temporary basis for the remainder of this season, but Villa are hoping to include a low buy-option which can be activated if Loftus-Cheek helps the club finish in the top four.
AC Milan are now setting some contingency plans for Loftus-Cheek’s departure and Allegri has identified some midfield options from Manchester United and Tottenham.
AC Milan Target Man United & Spurs Midfielders
The Rossoneri are reportedly considering moves for Manuel Ugarte and Yves Bissouma, as the two continue to drop down the pecking order at their respective clubs.
Ugarte has struggled to adapt to life in England and his place in the United side has become even weaker after Michael Carrick’s appointment.
The Manchester United manager is a huge admirer of Kobbie Mainoo and is set to make the Englishman a regular member of the starting eleven.
Casemiro has been the designated six for the majority of this season and Bruno Fernandes is viewed as ‘undroppable’ by the Manchester United staff.
The Red Devils have been eliminated from every cup competition and do not have European competition, meaning Ugarte’s chances of playing in a rotated side have vanished.
Rumors have started to circulate about bringing Scott McTominay back to Old Trafford, which would ruin Ugarte’s chances of competing even more – however Napoli are looking to extend the Scot’s contract.
Ugarte is not AC Milan’s only option, as Massimiliano Allegri is also considering a move for Tottenham Hotspur star Yves Bissouma.
The 29-year-old played his first minutes of the Premier League season during Spurs’ 2-1 defeat by West Ham on January 17th, after missing the opening 16 matches through injury and representing Mali at AFCON.
Bissouma has failed to cement a place in the heart of Tottenham’s midfield since signing for the club in July 2022 and his deal is set to expire at the end of the season.
Milan are reportedly tempted to bring Bissouma in for a lower fee in the January window or wait to sign the 29-year-old for free in the summer.
Louis Fargher
Louis has been an avid soccer enthusiast for multiple years and boasts knowledge across several leagues in Europe - including Serie A. Louis holds a degree in Soccer Journalism and has produced content for multiple clubs in the United Kingdom.
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