AC Milan Transfer Talk: An Overview of the New Milan Players

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The Italian Transfer market has closed until the summer and AC Milan welcomed in several new players over the month of January.

The players range in age and experience and come from mostly Italy, but given Milan's recent three mercati, it was a relatively quiet window.

The only thing that kept anyone paying attention to the Milan transfer saga was the possibility of getting Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez, but such a move never came to fruition.

So now Milan have their new players. How do they stack up against each other talent-wise and and in terms of potential and likely importance to Milan?

Philipp Prosenik (bought from Chelsea)

The 18-year-old Austrian was acquired from Chelsea and is seen as a forward for the future by Milan, as they love his potential. He has been on Milan's radar since before his departure from Rapid Vienna to London in 2009, and he has also seen interest from Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Lucas Roggia (loan from Internacional)

Roggia was a last-gasp acquisition on loan from Internacional in Brazil, but the 21-year-old is said to have a lot of potential.

He played against Milan in the Audi Cup last summer in Munich and will now be a part of the club for the remainder of the season, and possibly into the future.

Kingsley Umunegbu (bought from FC Chiasso)

Kingsley Umunegbu returns to AC Milan and hopes to finally make his first team debut at some point.

The 22-year-old Nigerian was loaned from club to club by Milan between 2007 and 2011, before joining Chiasso on a free transfer.

After failing to sign Carlos Tevez, Milan needs to fill it's second non-EU spot or else they risk losing it, so Umunegbu is back. The winger could possibly get into a couple matches if the injury bug bites the attack some more, but look for him to be a primarily reserve player.

Alexander Merkel (co-Ownership with Genoa)

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Milan fans were thrilled to learn of the return of Alexander Merkel. The young German is seen as the future of the Milan midfield and was greatly missed by many while at Genoa.

He played well following his return, but an injury against Lazio in Coppa Italia now has him out for eight weeks. Milan we was forced to act quickly to get another new midfielder.

Sulley Muntari (on Loan from Inter)

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Milan fans have been dreading the speculation over the past couple days, but Sulley Muntari is now a Milan player for the remainder of the season, and could possibly sign, as his contract is up at season's end.

The 27-year-old Ghanaian has gotten progressively less favorable since leaving Udinese in 2007 after a solid five-year run. He seemed to do decent at Inter Milan, but a loan to Sunderland didn't work out. With the injury crisis in the Milan midfield, he should get a good amount of time.

The last loan player Milan took from Inter didn't pan out, as Mancini was a miserable presence on the field. Milan fans must remain optimistic that Muntari won't be the next Mancini.

Maxi Lopez (bought from Catania)

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After a short stint at Barcelona a few years back, Lopez is once again at a big club and ready to prove himself.

The Argentine spoke at his presentation about growing up in Argentina, where he said AC Milan is a big, popular club, and that he would watch every Milan match he could. He called his arrival at the club "a dream come true."

Lopez was brought in to add a fifth reasonable player in attack with the absence of Antonio Cassano for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old was the club's second choice for Milan behind Carlos Tevez, but the deal with Manchester City for Tevez fell through, and the Fulham target put on a Milan shirt.

Lopez could have an immediate impact and will hopefully show the quality that once earned him the nickname the "White Drogba."

Djamel Mesbah (bought from Lecce)

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Djamel Mesbah could turn out to be the most important acquisition for Milan during the transfer window.

Mesbah, a 27-year-old fullback, joins from Lecce and is seen as the new future of Milan at left back after Taye Taiwo, now on loan at Queens Park Rangers, completely failed after joining in the summer.

Mesbah had been with Lecce since 2009 and has been gaining attention from around Italy, with Milan of course most interested.

With solid form this season and World Cup experience, Mesbah looks to be a good signing and will have immediate impact at Milan. Left back has been the Achilles' heel for some time and this could be the fix the club needed.