With the January Transfer window looming – certain rumours have been thrown around since the beginning of the 12/13 season. Here I will take a look at the top 5 potential 'comings and goings' that will affect AC Milan.
With only £58,000,000 spent in The British Transfer Market last January – it is fair to say that compared to the summer window, top flight managers are much more reluctant to spend. That said – with such success stories like Papiss Cisse and Nikica Jelavic people may wonder why managers do not spend? Of course, the likes of big spenders Manchester City and Chelsea are in the latter stages of assmebling their squads to challenge domestically and on the continent.
In this article – I will look at transfer rumours surrounding AC Milan. The potential comings and goings and reasons behind the move.
AC Milan:
Coming In:
Rolando
The Portueguse defender – part of the treble winning FC Porto side under Andre Villas Boas, has been rumoured to want a transfer to Italian giants AC Milan. Due to the sale of Thiago Silva in the summer – Milan are keen to bolster there defensive options after four defeats in their first seven games. Rolando, 26, was quoted by Corrire dello Sport, saying; “Im awaiting a call from Milan.”
“If I were to leave Porto – Milan would be the only option for me.” Rolando would be replacing Brazilian captain Thiago Silva after Milan had to sell the defender to balance the books at the club. However, the 26 year old is unlikely to be available on the cheap for Milan. Rolando has a contract with Porto till June 2016. Rolando is believed to have a €35,000,000 release clause in his contract – while Milan are believed to offer The Portueguse Champions around €15,000,000 .
Edin Dzeko 
Another player believed to have the ability to replace a Milan great. Edin Dzeko is a rumoured target for AC Milan to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Dzeko is considering his future at City after slippting to fourth in the pecking order for Mancini. With Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and even Mario Balotelli infront of the Bosnian – Dzeko may be eager to leave the Etihad Stadium for the San Siro – and City are believed to want around £20,000,000 for there man – whom they paid Wolfsburg £27,000,000 just 18 months ago. Dzeko told the Mirror: “I am too good to spend another season on the bench – I came here to play so I never considered that this would become a problem.” Last season Dzeko scored some important goals for Manchester City last season, most notably the equalising goal against Queens Park Rangers – which acted as a catalyst for Man City to go on and win The Barclays Premier League.
Angelo Ogbonna
Milan have joined Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Torino defender Angelo Ogbonna. Ogbonna, who recently admitted that he was flattered by interest from Liverpool, has emerged as one of the most sought-after defenders in Italy. The 24-year old, who was part of the Italian squad for Euro 2012 – is being tracked by all the major clubs across Europe – and most recently AC Milan. After losing Thiago Silva in the summer to Parist St Germain, AC Milan are in desperate need to bolster their defensive unit. Milan coach Allegri could now concentrate his efforts on signing Ogbonna and brining him to the San Siro. Although, he will have to fend off domestic and continental interest to land his man. Torino director, Gianluca Petrachi said: “There are many foreign clubs who come just to see Ogbonna – last year we refused €10,000,000 for him, but it is clear he is worth more than €20,000,000.
Bojan Krkic
The transfer of Bojan Krkic is an interesting one. Brought up in FC Barcelona's famous youth system, La Masia - big things were expected of The Spaniard. Dubbed the 'next Messi', Bojan failed to live up to the name and was soon shipped out to AS Roma on a two year deal, to link up with former Barcelona B coach Luis Enrique. However, Enrique left Roma after one year and Bojan has now been loaned out to AC Milan on a season-long deal. Now, AC Milan have Bojan for a year – he will return to AS Roma, who will then have to pay Barcelona around €24,000,000 to keep Bojan on a permanent basis. However, Barca have a €12,000,000 buy back clause they can use after the two year period to sign back the striker. With only one of three parties seemingly interested in Bojan, he could end up an AC Milan player. A season of transistion at the San Siro – if Bojan finally steps out the shadow of ex-team mate Lionel Messi – he could be just the player to restore glory back in the red and black of Milan.
Mario Balotelli
Balotelli is a boyhood fan of the Rossoneri – everyone knows this. Thanks to Mario himself wearing the red and black of AC Milan, whilst playing for Inter! Although controversy follows Mario wherever he goes, he has talent. At the Euro 2012 semi-final against Germany, we saw Mario come to live. Two goals against a very organised German side was believed to have been the 'change of Balotelli'. However, of course, trouble was not too far. With Brain Marwood – Football Administration Officer at Manchester City, telling the younger plays to 'avoid behaving like Balotelli' and that the Italian is a 'bad role-model'. Mario may finally of had enough of Mancini, Man City, the English media, and even some of his team mates. With a move to his boyhood club fiasable – Mario would just at the chance to sign for the Rossoneri.
Going Out
Alexandre Pato
Alexandre Pato has admitted that he would consider a move to England when his contract in Italy expires in 2014. The striker told The Independant: “I love English football. I have friends who play for Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United – at the moment I have a real taste for playing in the UK.” Pato is keen to see out his contract in Milan – but may leave the San Siro before hand if Milan get a good offer. At just the age of 23, Pato is an attractive offer to any side buying talent for the future, and he is some talent. However, with niggling injuries throuughout his career some may say he may not be worth the price Milan want for him – rumoured to be around €25million. Blessed with blistering pace and an eye for goal – Pato has all the attributes to be a top striker. Given the number 9 shirt from retired legend Filippo Inzaghi was meant to be a 'new start' for Pato – however another injury has stopped his progress. The Brazilian will miss the first 8 weeks of the new season.
Stephen El Shaarawy 
In a summer that saw Milan lose star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic – the one bright light of the new season has been young Italian Stephen El Shaarawy. Folllowing a summer exodus, which saw the sales of Ibrahimovic and captain Thiago Silva – El Shaarawy may see his future somewhere else – with plenty of offers available. Manchester United have been linked with the forward – however with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani saying: “Lets hope Ferguson will stay in love with him, but its not in our though to sell him.” Much can be made of Galliani here – with Thiago Silva a great example. The Brazilian signed a 5 year deal just days before moving to Paris st Germain. If a club with the calibre of Manchester United came calling in – with a price deemed acceptable by AC Milan, it is hard to see that with all their money problems – that they would not accept a deal.
Kevin-Prince Boateng 
One of the senior members of the squad – Boateng is unhappy with the sales of Ibrahimovic and Silva – and is questioning the ability of the current squad. The former Tottenham and Portsmouth midfiedler re-built his career at The San Siro, and his impressive performances have seen him linked with moves across the world. Most notably Real Madrid and Manchester United. Boateng is rumoured to be on only £30,000 after tax at Milan – and the attacking midfielder would no doubt earn a huge salary increase if he chose either side. Boateng, with previous experience in The Premier League would fit well in to Manchester United's lacklustre midfield, as well as giving Ferguson the oppurtunity to offload trouble maker Nani. Boateng would cost Ferguson around £15million and would fit straight into the new 'diamond' formation Ferguson is trying to work.
Robinho
Brazilian Robinho could be on his way back to Santos in January with Milan keen to cash in on his services. The Brazilian endured a dissapointed 11/12 season, scoring just 6 goals in 28 appearances for the Rossoneri. Robinho joined Milan from Manchester City for £15million and is a top earner at Milan – now that Ibrahimovic and Silva have left the club. On £165,000 a week – Milan may be unable to afford Robinho – who is struggling for fitness and form. Reports in Italy claim that Malaga is a possible destinantion for Robinho – although with there financial struggles a return home to Brazil with boyhood side Santos is more likely. Robinho moved back to Santos from Manchester City in 10/11 season, although financial demands restricted the move, Robinho may take a pay-cut for regular football.
Phillipe Mexes
With the French National Football Team coach Didier Deschamps saying 'I dont know if Mexes will stay there' it is clear that Mexes could be on his way out of the San Siro. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is a big fan of the Frenchman – who arrived at AC Milan on a free from AS Roma. However, on a very high wage at Milan – Galliana could sell the star. With a possible swap on the cards with Arsenal, for Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner. AC Milan are still looking for replacements for Zlatan Ibrahimovic – and they see the Dane as a potential replacement for the Big Swede, although they would have to lose Mexes in the process. At 30 years of age however and a high earner at the club – Milan would not be too disheartened to lose the Frenchman.
Source: DSG
