Agents aware of AC Milan’s need for centre-back signings have offered reported West Ham and Newcastle United transfer target Nathan Ake of Manchester City to the San Siro side.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who report intermediaries have presented Ake, as well as Manchester United’s Eric Baily and Chelsea’s Malang Sarr as potential January options.
AC Milan are turning their attention to alternative defenders as they continue to struggle in pursuit of Lille’s Sven Botman. Sporting Director Frederic Massara is keen to land the Dutch enforcer, but accepts a mid-season move will be a challenge.
The Rossoneri must sign a centre-half in the winter market after losing Simon Kjaer for the rest of the season. He required surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December and is likely to miss six-months of action.
Kjaer suffered his injury four-minutes into Milan’s visit to Genoa on December 1. The game marked his 11th appearance and 10th start from 15 possible Serie A fixtures this season.
Massara is now giving thought to who AC Milan can sign, with Ake, Bailly and Sarr available for a transfer. But the Rossoneri could face competition for the Manchester City defender.
Howe keen on Newcastle move, but Ake prefers West Ham transfer
Multiple reports have cited Newcastle and West Ham as Premier League options for Ake, if the defender now offered to AC Milan leaves Manchester City in the January transfer sales.
Reports by The Athletic note Toon boss Eddie Howe would love to reunite with Ake at St James’ Park. He is keen to acquire a defender in the mould of the Dutchman he coached at Bournemouth. Ake also sealed his £40m move to the Etihad after three-years under Howe.
Additionally, 90min – who also cite Newcastle’s interest – report West Ham have studied a loan-to-buy transfer to sign Manchester City’s Ake. While Eurosport note the 26-year-old would prefer the Hammers over Magpies and is open to joining if City are willing.
The 23-cap international has only played 14 times so far this term across all competitions, including eight Premier League appearances. Ake – who Howe called ‘outstanding’ at Bournemouth, via the Shropshire Star – also made three of six league starts at left-back.
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