Former Lazio & Napoli defenders emerge as surprise Milan targets for January

Milan’s January planning continues to prioritise defensive reinforcements, with the club searching for a centre-back capable of providing immediate cover for Massimiliano Allegri’s first-choice trio.

Recent matches have underlined the issue. With Matteo Gabbia sidelined and Koni De Winter stepping in, Milan were left with limited senior options from the bench, forcing the club to rely on youth in less demanding situations. In more competitive fixtures, that lack of ready-made depth is seen as a clear risk.

Sporting director Igli Tare is therefore exploring the market, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport, aware that any January move will likely depend on loans rather than permanent deals unless players depart. The preference is for a defender with Serie A experience and a degree of international pedigree.

One name revisited is Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich. Milan sounded out the former Napoli man in the summer, but wages proved prohibitive. Kim has struggled for minutes in Germany and a temporary move could be considered, though only if Bayern agree to subsidise part of his salary, a complex scenario.

More accessible profiles are also under discussion. Axel Disasi, currently out of favour at Chelsea, has been mentioned internally, but his lack of Serie A experience raises doubts about a mid-season adaptation. Similar concerns apply to Niklas Süle, whose contract situation at Borussia Dortmund makes him expensive relative to his role.

The surprise option is Luiz Felipe, formerly of Lazio and now at Rayo Vallecano. A long-time favourite of Tare, the Brazilian would be affordable and tactically familiar, though fitness concerns and past contractual tensions remain factors.

With Gabbia’s return approaching, Milan are not in panic mode, but the search for defensive insurance is very much on.