Matteo Gabbia’s injury means that AC Milan will accelerate their pursuit of a centre-back, with two names at the top of the list.

As Calciomercato.com report, a torn left thigh flexor muscle with partial tendon involvement will sideline Gabbia for at least three months. To ensure a speedy recovery, Gabbia and the AC Milan medical staff have opted for a conservative approach involving therapy and rest, rather than surgery.

Theoretically this would mean a shorter recovery time but fewer guarantees. Either way, his extended lay-off will deprive Ruben Amorim of an important player, meaning the central defender pool is now truly stretched thin.

Gerry Cardinale and his staff have realised that the search for a central defender in the winter transfer window is no longer an opportunity to raise the bar, but a genuine necessity.

Goncalo or Kim

Signing a defender from Sporting CP is always a complicated exercise, especially in January, as they are expensive shop that only sells its prized possessions at certain prices. Milan know they have to prepare a check for Goncalo Inacio for over €40m, and that might not be enough.

In recent days, Milan’s management have rekindled contact with the Portuguese’s agents, reiterating their intention to make a concrete attempt in the winter. They plan to the negotiations that were interrupted only on the last day of the summer window. Inacio, for his part, is open to the move.

However, there is also another option: Kim Min-jae. He is not getting much playing little (only three appearances this season) and no longer feels the full confidence of the coach and the club. So, Kim’s adventure at Bayern Munich seems increasingly headed for the end credits.

Milan have inquired with agents and intermediaries and are watching with interest for future developments. If signs of a deal on favourable terms were to come from Bayern, the Rossoneri would be ready. Amorim certainly likes Kim’s profile.