Italy international remains No.1 target as Milan go cold on free transfer duo

AC Milan are no longer interested in two free transfers that could have arrived from the Premier League to bolster the defence, according to a report.

Milan were linked with a number of different centre-backs during the winter mercato and in the end Matteo Gabbia – who returned from his loan at Villarreal – was the only ‘addition’. That means the investment in a new profile has been postponed until the summer.

According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com on Twitter, Adarabioyo and Kelly are no longer on Milan’s wish list ahead of next season, although no reason is given as to why Geoffrey Moncada and his team have now gone cold on the English duo.

However, he does add that the management will instead focus on signing Alessandro Buongiorno from Torino once the window resumes. The Rossoneri were heavily linked with a move in January but Urbano Cairo closed a door that could reopen in the coming months.

Ahead of Milan’s Europa League fixture against Slavia Praha, the Czech defender David Zima actually advised Buongiorno to make the jump to Milan, believing that his former team-mate is ready to take the next step in his career and compete for trophies at club level.