AC MILAN have realized that in order to be more competitive, they must improve their back line, and they are going to do it with some reinforcements and new players that will come in January.
Almost half of the defenders are injured at the moment – four defenders: Daniele Bonera, Oguchi Onyewu, Thiago Silva and Massimo Oddo.
This harsh situation has brought Milan to understand that they must extend the squad this January, especially in the back, where the assortment is not quite big.
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According to MilanNews, Leonardo is thinking about adding a player to the list from the Primavera team – Michelangelo Albertazzi. The central-defender has already been called the ‘next Maldini’.
Albertazzi arrived to Milan this summer from Serie A side Bologna, but the Rossoneri decided not to play with him in the first team, but in the younger one, where he has been impressive.
The 18-years-old served Italy U-20 national team in the U-20 World Cup, where the Italians were dismissed in the quarter-finals when lost 3-2 to Hungary Under 21 (red card for Albertazzi then).
There are other nominees of course, such as Olympique Lyonnais left-back Michel Bastos. Italian journalist names Francesco Letizia insists that Milan are after the 26-years-old Brazilian.
Milan were looking for left-winger all summer, and this is a position Bastos can play in. Bastos arrived to Lyon in 2009 and recorded nine appearances and three goals with Les Gones.
But, Letizia reports that Milan will try to sign the OL defender only at the end of the season.
From UK, rumors suggesting Milan are in to Arsenal youngster Armand Traoré. Traoré, 20, is a French left back, who can play also on the left of the midfield, which opens Leonardo more options.
TMW believes that Milan will try to sign the player in January, in the light of the injuries that the team is having. The player was at Avram Grant side, Portsmouth on loan where he played 19 games last season.
However, Arsenal have some calculations to make as well. The Gunners miss the injured Clichy and Gibbs, and Coach Arsene Wenger would probably reject an offer for Traoré, as he needs a replacement.
His agent has already denied it, but in football, anything could happen. The Italian press has lately suggested that Milan want A.S. Roma right-wingback Cicinho after Massimo Oddo picked up an injury.
Cicinho, 29, has not exactly been an important and vital part in Roma system, and he seemed somewhat frustrated with his lack of playing time. But his representative claims linking with Milan is only rumors.
“I have not heard from AC Milan and I do not know if they have contacted AS Roma to enquire about Cicinho,” Riccardo Sarti told TMW. “I think they would have contacted me first.
“At present, Cicinho is recovering from knee injury and is feeling well. I do not expect him to move in January and I it is too early to make predictions for the summer transfer market”.
Tuttosport reports that Milan are interesting in Standard Liege defender, who is able to play also as defensive midfielder, Eliaquim Mangala. Mangala was born in French, 1991, as he is only 18.
The young player is enjoying a very good season at the Belgium with the league champions. He has arrived Liege last year and since then played 11 games and scored one goal.
The player is as tall as Alessandro Nesta is, 1.87m, and his height will let him the option to head and stop long balls, which happen a lot in Italian football. A move can happen already in January.
Who would come? Milan claim no one, but that, only that time can tell…
By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog
Well. We do need defenders and this is no secret. Actually, I have never seen any of the mentioned play so I can’t have an opinion but I’ve heard Milan want this Arsenal man Traore
Eliaquim Mangala is very good for his age but still has tons to learn
FORZA MILAN. Just bring someone
I think Milan would not buy anyone, they will go for someone from the Primavera.
Buy Naldo from WB