AC Milan Transfers: Bojan Deal Confirmed, Nigel De Jong Possible

Bojan Krkic is in from Roma, while Nigel de Jong may be on his way from Manchester City according to the Mirror—but is it enough last-minute business for the Rossoneri?

The wisdom of waiting until the final moments of the transfer window before making additions to your squad is certainly dubious.

Many managers would want to get their squad settled during preseason training, try their new players out in friendlies and generally get a feel for what formation options they may have for the upcoming season.

But Milan have had recent success with these last-minute deals—both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho were brought in at this time two years ago, which led to Milan's first Scudetto season since 2004—and, as they were in 2010, the club are currently under pressure to supplement their squad for the year ahead.

They've already signed Giampaolo Pazzini (discussed here) but it appears there are more transfers in the works.

As confirmed by ACMilan.com, Il Diavolo has now completed the loan signing of Bojan Krkic from Roma.  It was all smiles yesterday when club Vice President Adriano Galliani and coach Massimiliano Allegri presented the 22-year-old with a birthday cake, but some Milan fans may be concerned that Krkic has been no more than a fringe player at Roma of late.

Key to the signing, however, is Allegri's intention to switch to a 4-3-3 formation this season, rather than his previously favoured 4-3-2-1.  What this switch requires is two wide-lying strikers either side of a more traditional centre forward, and this is why Krkic has been brought in. 

Despite falling out of favour with Luis Enrique at Roma, the young Spaniard did manage 7 goals from just 13 starts last term, and his record as a youth player at Barcelona was extremely impressive. 

More central to Milan's rebuilding this year, though, is the possible signing of Nigel de Jong from Manchester City.  Allegri has already stated his desire for an extra midfielder, and a player with De Jong's defensive capabilities could well address the apparent frailties Milan have at the back.

Interestingly, with many sites including ESPN reporting the possibility of right-back Maicon joining Manchester City from Inter, this may open the way for De Jong to move to the other side of Milan.

These two signings alone, if completed, will not entirely satisfy those hoping for a big name to replace Ibrahimovic, but in practical terms they—and particularly De Jong—may be instrumental to the rebuilding process.