Milan Plot Late Joe Gomez Swoop As Radu Dragusin Decision Made
AC Milan want to strengthen their defensive ranks in the January transfer window.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 23 January 2026
AC Milan are weighing up a late January transfer swoop for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez as they look to boost their back line.
The Rossoneri have been checking several Premier League options, but reports in Italy suggest Gomez remains the priority name.
That search has also included Tottenham centre-back Radu Dragusin, who has been offered to Igli Tare in recent hours.
Milan want new defensive signings this month and, with just 10 days left until the transfer deadline, time is running out.
Milan transfer news: Hope for late Joe Gomez swoop as Igli Tare snubs Radu Dragusin
According to Calciomercato, Igli Tare hopes to secure a last-minute move from Liverpool for Joe Gomez.
The English defender has already received Massimiliano Allegri’s approval, added the report.
In addition, there have apparently been contacts between Milan and the agents of Radu Dragusin on Friday.
Igli Tare has taken note of his agent’s offer but has reportedly decided not to pursue the matter further, at least for now.
Roma want Dragusin, and this leaves them with a much clearer path to the Romania international.
Virgil van Dijk’s Joe Gomez seal of approval
Milan are looking at Joe Gomez due to his recent lack of game time, along with his contract situation.
The England international has just 661 minutes of club football under his belt this term, split between 16 appearances.
In addition, Gomez’s contract expires in the summer of 2027, decreasing Liverpool’s leverage over his signature.
However, Gomez got a rare start in Liverpool’s Champions League win over Marseille alongside Virgil van Dijk.
A family emergency forced Ibrahima Konate to miss Wednesday’s clash and prompted Arne Slot to select Gomez.
The two centre-backs helped Liverpool secure a clean sheet in a 3-0 win, after which Van Dijk lauded his “outstanding” teammate.
“I’ve played with Joe many times, and it helps that we are very good friends as well,” the Dutchman told reporters.
Running it back to 2019/20 ⏪
Virgil van Dijk x Joe Gomez reviving their CB partnership ⛔🔥 pic.twitter.com/asVUzlFuwy
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 22, 2026
“I thought he was outstanding. The third goal, he was the one that started it off.
“Pleased for him, but pleased for the whole team. Everybody put a shift in. That’s how it should be, especially if you play for Liverpool.”
Milan came close to signing Gomez last summer, with a reported €15m deal being struck between the two clubs.
However, complications due to Liverpool’s ultimately fruitless pursuit of Marc Guehi saw Milan give up.
Four months later, the Rossoneri may fancy their chances of finally getting a deal for Gomez over the line.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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