AC Milan have settled on Real Betis’ Guido Rodriguez as the ideal midfield target to bolster the squad in January, a report claims. 

As has been reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, Milan are aware that they are likely to lose Rade Krunic to Fenerbahce during this January transfer window and a new player could be needed to ensure that depth remains.

With the need to buy defenders in the winter, and the desire to buy a striker, it seems unlikely that Milan will spend big on a midfielder. Even more so when you consider they signed three central midfielders in the summer and have just got Ismael Bennacer back from injury.

Should they decide to enter the market, the most likely acquisition is Real Betis’s Rodriguez. The 29-year-old has been playing at a high level for many years and he is out of contract at the end of this season.

That means he could be signed for a cut-price fee in January, or Milan could wait to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.

He is a more defensively-minded midfielder, meaning he would be effective at the base of Stefano Pioli’s midfield three.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Kings make huge decision on head coach Mike Brown
Oilers beat Stars to take 3-2 lead in WCF
Orioles lose two starting pitchers to season-ending surgeries
Yankees' Aaron Judge, Juan Soto make MLB history with impressive offensive numbers
Caitlin Clark frustrated by physical WNBA play: 'I feel like I'm getting hammered'
Bills give Olympic gold medalist chance in NFL
An epic temper tantrum highlighted Day 6 of the French Open
Broncos' Sean Payton shares promising Bo Nix update amid competition
Celtics HC Joe Mazzulla blasts media for Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown coverage
Pistons parting ways with GM after hiring new head of ops
Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight temporarily postponed
Suns fill out Mike Budenholzer's coaching staff
Timberwolves boycotted TNT in support of criticized bigs
Watch: Oilers offense responds after big hit on Corey Perry
Seahawks WR doesn’t hold back on praise for QB Sam Howell
Report: Cowboys quietly 'all in' on Dak Prescott decision
Diamondbacks ace heading to injured list with hamstring strain
Golden Knights, key winger have mutual interest but face financial crunch
Pelicans to defer Lakers' first-rounder to 2025
Former top-10 WR pick speaks on retirement regret, comeback try