Massimiliano Allegri is back on the Milan bench, and honestly, the "Allegri-ball" skeptics are already losing their minds. We are halfway through January 2026, and the Rossoneri find themselves in a bizarre spot—sitting second in Serie A, just three points behind Inter, yet feeling like a team held together by duct tape and Christian Pulisic’s sheer will.
The winter transfer market is wide open. It’s chaotic.
You’ve probably seen the headlines. Some say Milan is broke; others say they’re about to drop €40 million on a whim. The truth? It’s somewhere in that messy middle ground where CEO Giorgio Furlani lives.
The Goretzka Gamble and the Midfield Identity Crisis
Let’s talk about Leon Goretzka. The Bayern Munich man is basically the "white whale" of this AC Milan news and transfers cycle. Reports from SempreMilan and Tuttosport suggest the club is deep in talks, but there’s a massive €7 million wage gap standing in the way. Milan wants his experience. They need it. But they don't want to break the salary cap that RedBird has guarded so fiercely.
It’s a classic Milan dilemma.
While the Goretzka saga drags on, the club has already been busy elsewhere. Have you noticed the trend? They aren't just looking for "prospects" anymore. They are looking for "fixers." The loan signing of Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham earlier this month was a clear signal that the project has shifted from "slow build" to "win now."
Then you have the Luka Modrić factor. Yes, he’s 40. Yes, he’s still starting games. It’s wild. But relying on a 40-year-old and a bunch of kids like Davide Bartesaghi is exactly why the push for a heavy hitter like Goretzka or even a late move for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire—who is reportedly being evaluated alongside Roma—is actually happening.
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Why the "Ibra Effect" is Fading
There is a growing elephant in the room at Casa Milan: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s actual power.
Kinda feels like the honeymoon is over, right?
Last year, Ibra was the face of every decision. Now, word is circulating that Furlani has restructured the management. Geoffrey Moncada is heading back to his scouting roots, and Zlatan’s role is reportedly being "diluted" into more of a consultancy position.
Gerry Cardinale isn't happy with the trophy cabinet. He’s disappointed. When the boss is disappointed, the "Senior Advisor" is usually the first to feel the heat. This internal power struggle is the subtext to every move we see this January. If Milan doesn’t land a big fish by February 2nd, the fans aren't going to blame the scouts—they’re going to blame the guys in the expensive suits.
The Injury Ward: When Will We See Santiago Giménez?
If you're looking for the biggest piece of AC Milan news and transfers that isn't about a new signing, it’s the medical bulletin.
- Santiago Giménez: Don’t hold your breath. Allegri confirmed he won’t be back until at least the end of March.
- Strahinja Pavlović: Currently dealing with nine stitches in his head. Football is a contact sport, but Pavlović takes it to another level.
- Niclas Füllkrug: A broken toe/heavy knock (depending on who you ask) kept him out of the 3-1 win over Como, but he’s expected back for the Roma clash or shortly after.
It’s frustrating.
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Milan has become "Pulisic-dependent." Fabio Capello said it best recently—Captain America can’t save them every single week. With 10 goals already this season, the American is carrying the offensive load, but the supporting cast is currently sitting in the physio's office.
The San Siro vs. San Donato Soap Opera
We can't talk about Milan without the stadium.
Basically, the dream of a solo stadium in San Donato hit a major snag recently when the regional administrative court rejected certain build possibilities. So, what’s the move? It looks like Milan and Inter are back to being "roommates."
The latest plan involves a €1.25 billion renovation/replacement of the San Siro area. We’re talking a 71,500-seat facility designed by Foster + Partners and MANICA.
The timeline is... optimistic.
- Preliminary designs through February 2026.
- Construction beginning in October 2027.
- A "grand opening" in December 2030.
If you’ve ever dealt with Italian bureaucracy, you know those dates are written in pencil, not ink. But for the first time in years, the clubs actually own the site. That changes the math significantly.
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What Needs to Happen Next
The Scudetto is within reach, but the squad is paper-thin.
If you're following the AC Milan news and transfers updates daily, watch the Kostic and Goretzka rumors. If those fail, expect a "Panic Buy" in the final 48 hours of the window. Milan needs a veteran presence in the locker room to offset the youth of the Milan Futuro project players like Maximilian Ibrahimovic—who, by the way, just joined Ajax on loan to follow his dad’s footsteps.
The next three weeks will define the Allegri era 2.0. To stay in the title race, the club must:
- Finalize the midfield veteran (Goretzka or a pivot alternative).
- Resolve the Maignan contract standoff (Chelsea is still lurking).
- Secure a backup for Pulisic to prevent a late-season burnout.
Keep an eye on the February 2nd deadline. It’s going to be a long month at the San Siro.
Actionable Insight for Fans: Watch the team's wage turnover in the coming weeks. If Milan offloads fringe players like Divock Origi (finally) or moves on from Fodé Ballo-Touré, it clears the "salary space" required to meet Leon Goretzka's demands without violating the club's internal financial sustainability rules.