Milan are in the hunt for a new center-back since Simon Kjaer is most likely out for the year because of an ACL tear. The Rossoneri have been linked to a plethora of names after his major injury. However, considering the early elimination from European competitions and the lack of an extra budget, they will spend only for the right candidate.
Otherwise, they will lean primarily on Fikayo Tomori and Alessio Romagnoli. They are contemplating bringing in Mattia Caldara to add some depth, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The defender has fared well during his loan spell at Venezia after multiple injury-riddled seasons. He has been able to stay healthy and has started in 12 matches, scoring once.
The Lagunari could be open to such solution. However, they would be looking to get some form of compensation or another Milan player on loan, the newspaper adds. Caldara had not played this regularly since 2017.
The defender joined Milan from Juventus in 2018 in a swap deal. He featured just twice in the span of 18 months due to an Achilles tendon rupture and an ACL tear. He then temporarily moved back to Atalanta, which turned down the option to sign him permanently.
It would be easier to integrate the 27-year-old than a newcomer. He is already familiar with Stefano Pioli’s schemes having spent a pair of pre-seasons under the coach. As far as possible outside targets, the Rossoneri are particularly keen on Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen and Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile.