Simic, Jimenez, Brassier – Milan aim to build defence for the future

Matteo Gabbia is back with AC Milan after his loan spell at Villarreal was ended early, and now the aim for the management is to build the defence of the future.

According to what is being reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), the return of Gabbia is not seen as enough given the injury problems that have decimated the defensive department in the past few weeks.

With Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw still out for some time, the feeling is that at least another central defender is needed and there are various different options being evaluated.

The most recent idea is Lilian Brassier of Brest, who would cost around €10-12m and would be an interesting investment for the future given that he is still young (24) and he can play left-back too if needed.

However, Jan-Carlo Simic and Alex Jimenez could well force themselves into the plans in the immediacy as well as the long-term. They are not just emergency options at the moment but real resources, as their performances in the Coppa Italia showed.

Simic and Jimenez gave signs that reassured the coach and the club, which means reasoned choices can be made in the January mercato no longer dictated by the needs of the moment.

Clement Lenglet remains one of the top names but it is the abolition of the Growth Decree that has slowed down the deal, plus the fact he is on loan at Aston Villa from Barcelona which means a three-way negotiation is required.