Keys to a Successful January Transfer Window for AC Milan

It’ll be tempting for AC Milan to make changes in January. They absolutely must qualify for the Champions League, and this is the time for reinforcements.

But the January transfer window is also a mirage. In the past few seasons, Milan brought in players who did not last. These were mostly forwards who did not fit into any future plan, frivolous signings who made the headlines and little else.

This year, they have to resist the temptation of buying high. Milan already swapped Fernando Torres for Alessio Cerci, ridding themselves of one problem and spending nothing while doing it. But there are still smaller issues to address.

Here are three things Milan must do in January.

Send Youngsters on Loan

David Vincent/Associated Press

Milan are not oldest team in Italy. They have some young talent. We just don’t see it.

M’Baye Niang, Riccardo Saponara and Michelangelo Albertazzi hardly get any playing time. If they are going to amount to anything, they have to get some experience elsewhere.

Olympiacos, Udinese, Torino and Newcastle United have all approached Milan to take the 20-year-old Niang on loan, per Football Italia. Selling Niang outright is nonsense: Milan have already given up on young players (such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Darmian) in recent years and cannot surrender a player who never really had a chance.

Of course, Niang hit the post in a Champions League tie at Camp Nou a couple of years ago, and he has not been able to redeem himself since.

Saponara looks like a solid midfielder, but he is constantly on the sidelines, while defender Albertazzi does not look ready to play at this level. Both would benefit from a move away.

Identify a Long-Term Striker

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Fernando Torres is gone, meaning Milan’s only true centre-forward right now is Giampaolo Pazzini. He too has to leave.

Pazzini is 30, and he is obviously not in coach Pippo Inzaghi’s plans. Pazzini is respectful and dedicated, but he has not made a start this season. For his sake, he has to move on.

What Milan need is a young striker who they can rely on for years to come.

If Milan want to make a big signing in the winter, they must make it Mattia Destro, Ciro Immobile or Stefano Okaka. All three have been linked with Milan in recent months, per calciomercato.com, and all three are strong forwards.

The Rossoneri lack that strong focal point up front, and club president Silvio Berlusconi loves watching a team that is strong in the box.

Avoid Short-Term Fixes

New Press/Getty Images

For every good idea, there are several bad ones. Just take a look at the recent slate of January signings: Ronaldo, Mancini, Antonio Cassano, Maxi Lopez and Mario Balotelli. None of these players lasted longer than two seasons at Milan.

Milan cannot afford to pick up these kinds of players anymore. The January window is a breeding ground for desperation (£50 million for Fernando Torres), so a signing not made is sometimes the best signing of all.